Haunted by ‘Dark Thoughts,’ Louisiana Father Kills 8 Children - The New York Times

The New York Times
April 20, 2026
8 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

A Louisiana father killed 8 children, reportedly haunted by 'Dark Thoughts'.

AI Summary

A father in Louisiana killed eight of his children, reportedly haunted by "dark thoughts." This tragic event highlights a severe case of domestic violence and infanticide within a family. The immediate consequence is the devastating loss of life and the profound impact on the community. Such incidents often prompt discussions about mental health support and intervention for individuals experiencing severe psychological distress. Authorities will likely investigate the circumstances leading to this horrific act.

Source Coverage Map

16 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

37% coverage
Did Not Cover (27)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP Top News96ProPublica95Bellingcat95+22 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Story Tracker

This article is part of a story we're tracking:

Louisiana Mass Shooting Kills Eight Children

Eight children, aged between one and 14 years old, were tragically killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana. Police described the incident as stemming from a domestic violence dispute, with the suspect also fatally shot.

Mass Shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana Kills Eight Children

A tragic mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children, all under the age of 15. Police reported the incident began as a domestic dispute, and the suspect was fatally shot.

Louisiana Mass Shooting Kills Eight Children

A mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children, all under the age of 15. Police reported the incident began as a domestic dispute, with the suspect fatally shot by authorities.

Mass Shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana

A tragic mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children. Police reported the incident began as a domestic dispute, with the victims ranging in age from one to 14 years old. The suspect was reportedly killed by police.

Mass Shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana

Eight children were tragically killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, which authorities described as a domestic violence incident. The suspect was reportedly killed by police, and the community is now grappling with the aftermath of this horrific event.

Tragic Mass Shooting Kills Eight Children in Louisiana

Eight children, aged 1 to 14, were tragically killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, described by police as a domestic violence incident. The suspect, identified as the children's father, was also killed.

Mass Shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana Kills 8 Children

A tragic mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children, aged between one and 14 years old. Police described the incident as a domestic violence event. The suspect, identified as the children's father, was fatally shot by police.

Louisiana Mass Shooting Kills 8 Children

A horrific mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children and injuries to two women. Police believe the incident was domestic in nature, with the father identified as the perpetrator.

Deadly Mass Shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana Kills Eight Children

A horrific mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children, including seven of the perpetrator's own. The incident, believed to be a domestic dispute, has shocked the community and drawn national attention.

Louisiana Mass Shooting Kills 8 Children

A tragic mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children. Police described the incident as 'execution-style' and linked it to a domestic dispute, with the father identified as the perpetrator.

Louisiana Mass Shooting

Eight children were killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, linked to a domestic dispute. Authorities identified the shooter as Shamar Elkins, who targeted the children in what police described as an 'execution-style' shooting.

Civil Rights & Justice

Following developments in civil rights, criminal justice reform, voting rights, Supreme Court decisions, policing accountability, and the ongoing struggle for equality and justice across American institutions.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Rogue sperm donor who says he's fathered 180 children won't be on child's birth certificate
Civil Rights

Rogue sperm donor who says he's fathered 180 children won't be on child's birth certificate

The child's mother and her partner say they never wanted Robert Albon to play any part in the child's life.

BBC NewsApr 21
Mother and 6 children killed in explosion and fire at central Pennsylvania home - AP News
Health

Mother and 6 children killed in explosion and fire at central Pennsylvania home - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxNZnJlLXQwT3NzN2daRXBlcDhKN1dhVjhYY3o3LTQ0c2dNeTNYYjNJWmJHTDNHOGhNQlBFWE42MHN0Rkg5VUZIdTNpRVZSNzF0SUJyT2JZdTdUM3lDZ1VNeVFfZGIzVEZtVUhnTll5NHNUQ0ZhTGtzdnI0d21CaXVqMENBZ2hUb3owdnRsYWx3ZjhaSE85R1E?oc=5" target="_blank">Mother and 6 children killed in explosion and fire at central Pennsylvania home</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 20
Burn treatment for Gaza children threatened by Israeli restrictions
Health

Burn treatment for Gaza children threatened by Israeli restrictions

Burn treatment for Gaza children threatened by Israeli restrictions

Al JazeeraApr 21
New York’s race-based STEM programs face constitutional challenges
Civil Rights

New York’s race-based STEM programs face constitutional challenges

The New York State Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) has been sued for using race-based eligibility rules that discriminate against white and Asian-American students, violating the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection.

The HillApr 18
The Supreme Court hands a win to oil and gas companies fighting environmental lawsuits in Louisiana - AP News
Environment

The Supreme Court hands a win to oil and gas companies fighting environmental lawsuits in Louisiana - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxOV2tDZWthRTBVa1o4OGpMQm5oTlY5OTFVX2x1d3MwbHBoZU9WclB2MXFZSG9sVmFhQ0RkUXktR0ZHUW1sZC1kLVhEWUtmWWQ0RWx2bWRDWmFUbGpGMmQ2V3lQWFpvb1l0WnpZbjhheEpBa0dkR3M0VkpxeGFBRVE5RjNFUnFEMlB6MDVfV0pjdHBzSmQwWWEzbURUMVFHM2M5TFVPUnIwYVZtTnhFUnlNeUs5VlJ3dw?oc=5" target="_blank">The Supreme Court hands a win to oil and gas companies fighting environmental lawsuits in Louisiana</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 17
The 27-Year-Old Diplomat Waging Trump’s Cultural War With Europe - The New York Times
Global

The 27-Year-Old Diplomat Waging Trump’s Cultural War With Europe - The New York Times

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMifEFVX3lxTE5pMDR2aHhkMl9ldThnSEZnaWdOU0VEZDZVbzZqLS14TnFKdEZVUkxYWm4xZXA2M3ZrT1JZdGZKQldRN2l0LVlxT1c3OHViNlFJY0VzUG1UUjltc1U5eDMxQTlzQzBXakhfSTZOZEo2dWFsOUhTZ0x4eWlhWjM?oc=5" target="_blank">The 27-Year-Old Diplomat Waging Trump’s Cultural War With Europe</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">The New York Times</font>

The New York TimesApr 17
Read Next
Louisiana gunman had sought mental health treatment, relatives say
Health

Louisiana gunman had sought mental health treatment, relatives say

The man who killed eight children and wounded two women in Louisiana had sought mental health care from Veterans Affairs.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources