Two people connected with last month’s mass shooting in Shreveport where a gunman killed eight children has been indicted by a federal grand jury. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Zachary Keller, says one of men indicted is Charles Ford. It’s believed the gun Shamar Elkins used on April 19th belonged to Ford.
“And specifically, Mr. Ford was being indicted for possessing the firearm that Elkins used to commit this mass shooting,” Keller said.
Ford was indicted on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents because he allegedly lied to investigators during questioning.
Michael Mayence has also been indicted. Elkins drove to Mayence’s home in Bossier City after killing eight children-including seven of his own. Keller says Mayence was also in possession of guns while being subject to a domestic violence injunction.
“In fact, he possessed four firearms in his home when he was under a domestic violence injunction. So he was also a prohibited person,” Keller noted.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson says Mayence is an Iraq War veteran and former Louisiana National Guard member who knew Elkins for years.
“We do know that Mayence and Elkins had a relationship, a friendship; and through the course of the investigation and speaking to Mayence, Mayence appeared to also be agreeable with Elkins and the actions that he took,” Jackson said.
The funeral of the eight children will be held Saturday.