A gunman killed eight children on Sunday in a shooting related to domestic violence in the State of Louisiana (USA), according to security forces. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith reported that the shootings occurred in several homes during the early hours of Sunday.
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The victims were between one and 14 years old, according to the AP agency, which also reports at least 10 injured in the incident.
The police chief explained that the assailant died after a police chase after stealing a car and fleeing in the vicinity of Bossier City. The suspect was pursued by several officers, who shot him. The assailant died as a result of gunshot wounds.
The Shreveport Police Chief reported that they received a report of a shooting shortly before six in the morning, local time. The initial information led them to conclude that it was a case of domestic violence.
Officers arrived at the crime scene near Linwood Avenue in the city of Shreveport. Shortly after, they discovered that another home on Harrison Street was also part of the crime scene.
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Officers saw the assailant steal a car nearby as he left the scene, according to local media. Police followed the vehicle and began a pursuit that continued to Bossier City. At that point, three police officers opened fire, fatally wounding the person.
Authorities are still gathering information about the crime scene, across up to three residences. Some of the deceased children were relatives of the suspect. “This is a large-scale scene, unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” Smith said.
Shreveport police requested the assistance of the Louisiana State Police to investigate the incident. In a statement, the southern state’s security forces indicated that no officers were injured in the exchange of gunfire.
“This morning, shortly after seven, detectives from the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations were requested by the Shreveport Police Department to investigate an officer-involved shooting following a pursuit on Brompton Lane in Bossier City. Investigators are processing the scene and gathering more information,” the Louisiana State Police reported in a statement. “One person sustained a gunshot wound and died at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident. The investigation is ongoing; more information will be provided as it becomes available.”
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