Additional Coverage:
Federal authorities have arrested Charles Ford, a 56-year-old man from Shreveport, Louisiana, charging him in connection with the firearm used in the tragic mass shooting that claimed the lives of eight children on April 19.
The charges against Ford include being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements regarding the assault pistol used by Shamar Elkins in the shooting. Elkins died during a police confrontation shortly after the incident, though it remains unclear whether his death was by suicide or resulted from police action.
U.S. Attorney Zachary Keller expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Words fall short in the face of the acts Shamar Elkins perpetrated in Shreveport on April 19-they are beyond comprehension or description. Our investigation is probing every aspect of how this tragedy occurred, including how Elkins obtained the firearm used to take the lives of eight children.”
Keller acknowledged that with Elkins deceased, the community will not see him face justice, but emphasized the importance of holding those who enabled the crime accountable. “Our hope is that prosecuting the person who provided the weapon will offer some measure of solace to the Shreveport community,” he said.
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Ford initially lied during the investigation, denying possession of the assault pistol. He later admitted to having kept the firearm under his seat. This information came to light after a firearms trace and interviews with the original purchaser, who identified Ford as the recipient of the weapon.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson highlighted the broader responsibility in such cases, stating, “Holding people accountable does not stop with the person who pulled the trigger but also includes those who give access to and proliferate firearms that are later used in violent crime.”
Ford faces up to 15 years in federal prison for unlawful firearm possession and up to five years for making false statements. The investigation was conducted in cooperation with the Louisiana State Police, Shreveport Police Department, and the FBI.
This development marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to address the circumstances surrounding one of Shreveport’s most devastating recent tragedies.