A man shot and killed eight children, including seven of his own, in a domestic attack in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 20, according to local authorities. The eight victims ranged in age from three to 11, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings of minors in the United States in recent years.
Police said the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, carried out the shootings across two homes before dying following a police pursuit. Two women, including his wife, were critically injured. Authorities described the incident as a domestic dispute and said the motive remains under investigation.
Officials said several children attempted to escape during the attack, with one found dead on a roof and another surviving after jumping from the home. Community leaders and residents gathered later that day for vigils, as the city grappled with the scale of the tragedy.
The shooting underscores the ongoing toll of gun violence in the United States, where firearms remain the leading cause of death among children and teenagers. The US continues to stand apart from other comparable countries, where gun-related deaths do not rank among the top causes.
In this gallery, we examine key data and trends behind gun deaths in America. Click on to take a closer look at the numbers.