Shreveport Man Charged for Illegally Providing Firearm Used in Mass Killing of Eight Children

Federal prosecutors have charged a 56-year-old Shreveport resident with illegally possessing a firearm used in a mass shooting that left eight children dead. Charles Ford is accused of securing the rifle used by Shamar Elkins in the April 19 attack, despite being a convicted felon prohibited from owning weapons. Ford now faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

The Details

On April 21, 2026, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana filed criminal complaints against Charles Ford. The charges include being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents. These charges stem from an investigation into how Shamar Elkins obtained the rifle used to perpetrate the massacre on April 19.

According to court documents, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Shreveport Police Department conducted a firearms trace on the weapon. The original purchaser of the rifle identified Ford as the individual to whom the firearm had been given.

Investigators allege that Ford initially lied to ATF agents, denying that he ever possessed the weapon. He later admitted to the possession, claiming he had kept the rifle under his seat. Ford further admitted his belief that Elkins had taken possession of the firearm from that location.

Ford faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for the felon-in-possession charge and up to five years for the false statement charge. The investigation involved a coordinated effort between the ATF, Louisiana State Police, the Shreveport Police Department, and the FBI.

Context

The charges against Ford follow an April 19 mass shooting in Shreveport where Shamar Elkins killed eight children. The tragedy has left the local community in shock, and the death of Elkins has precluded him from facing a trial for the murders.

United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller stated that the investigation is focused on the proliferation of firearms and how Elkins managed to secure the weapon used to execute his own children. The case highlights the critical role of those who provide illegal access to firearms, which the Department of Justice aims to prosecute to bring a measure of accountability to the community.

The ATF has emphasized that holding individuals accountable for the illegal distribution of weapons is a key component of preventing violent crime, particularly when those individuals are prohibited from possessing such arms due to prior felony convictions.

What's Next

Charles Ford will remain under the jurisdiction of the federal court system as the case proceeds. Legal proceedings will determine if he is guilty of the charges brought by Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Aaron Crawford.

The Department of Justice and local law enforcement continue to investigate every angle of the April 19 tragedy to ensure all parties involved in the acquisition of the weapon are identified and prosecuted.

Community leaders and families of the victims in Shreveport await further legal developments in the hope that the prosecution of the firearm's supplier provides some measure of solace in the wake of the mass killing.