A domestic violence incident in Shreveport, Louisiana, on the morning of April 20, 2026, resulted in the deaths of eight children, according to local police and the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office. The suspected gunman, identified as 35-year-old James Matthew Burson, was also found dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Shreveport Police Department responded to a call just after 6 a.m. at a residence in the 400 block of Louisiana Avenue. Upon arrival, officers discovered nine deceased individuals. The victims were all children, ranging in age from 1 to 17 years old. Police Chief Wayne Smith stated the incident stemmed from a domestic violence situation.
This shooting is among the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in recent years. Data from the Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as four or more people shot excluding the shooter, confirms it as a significant incident. The community and local officials have expressed profound grief, with Mayor Tom Arceneaux calling it "an unspeakable tragedy."
Authorities have not released a detailed motive but confirmed the suspect was known to the victims. The investigation is ongoing, with counseling services being offered to the community and first responders affected by the scene.
