The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana has filed a criminal complaint against Charles Ford, a 56-year-old resident of Shreveport, accusing him of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and of making a false statement to federal agents; the firearm and false statement charges relate to a weapon that Shamar Elkins used to carry out his mass shooting on April 19.
Ford faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison on the felon-in-possession charge, and up to five years in federal prison on the false-statement charge.
“Words fail to capture the acts that Shamar Elkins carried out in Shreveport on April 19; they are incomprehensible and indescribable. Our law enforcement partners are investigating every angle of how this tragedy occurred, and this case arises from that investigation, particularly how Elkins obtained the firearm he used to execute his own children,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller.
“Elkins’ death means that our community will never see him face justice. Our hope, as we continue investigating and prosecuting this case alongside our law enforcement partners, is that holding the person whose weapon Elkins used to carry out the crime accountable will provide some solace to our Shreveport community,” he added.
Details of the Tragedy
Shamar Elkins, 31, a veteran of the armed forces, committed a horrific crime by killing eight children in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana.
The Caddo Parish Medical Examiner’s Office reported that the victims were five girls and three boys, with ages ranging from 3 to 11: Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5. Seven of them were siblings and one was Elkins’s nephew.
Authorities responded to Elkins’s residence on the morning of April 19 to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred after a pursuit that stretched into Bossier City on Brompton Lane, Louisiana State Police (LSP) said. From there, the terrible tragedy and the crime committed by Elkins were uncovered.
With the arrest of Charles Ford, partial justice will be served for the young victims of one of the deadliest shootings in recent memory.
“The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is involved and committed to holding people accountable for the possession and illegal use of firearms that harm our community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson.
“Holding people accountable isn’t limited to the person who pulled the trigger, but also includes those who facilitate access to firearms—and contribute to their proliferation—that are subsequently used in violent crimes,” he added.
According to the allegations set forth in court documents, the ATF and the Shreveport Police Department began investigating the tracing of firearms tied to the rifle shown below, which Elkins used to carry out his mass shooting.
When authorities interviewed the original purchaser, that person identified Ford as the person to whom the weapon had been delivered. Ford, a convicted felon who is not allowed to possess firearms, initially lied to ATF agents about possessing the weapon, claiming he never had it. He later admitted owning the weapon, stating that he kept it under his seat. Ford also admitted believing that Elkins had taken possession of the weapon. The investigation in this case continues.
