Feds charge man with supplying gun used in Louisiana shooting that killed 8 kids

A Shreveport man has been arrested and charged by federal authorities in connection with securing the firearm used in the mass shooting that killed 8 children.

The firearms charges relate to the weapon that Shamar Elkins used in the April 19 killings. Elkins was later fatally shot by police.

“Words fall short in the face of the acts Shamar Elkins perpetrated in Shreveport on April 19—they are beyond comprehension or description. Our law enforcement partners are investigating every angle of how this tragedy came to occur, and this case arises from that investigation — in particular, how Elkins secured a firearm that he used to execute his own children,” United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller said.

“Elkins’ death means that our community will never see him face justice. Our hope, as we continue to investigate and prosecute this case alongside our law enforcement partners, is that holding the person whose gun Elkins used to perpetrate the crime accountable will give some small bit of solace to our Shreveport community.”

The United States Attorney's Office announced Tuesday, April 21, that Charles Ford, 56, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and false statement charges relating to the firearm that Shamar Elkins used to kill eight children.

“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," ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson said.

Ford faces up to 15 years in federal prison for firearm possession and up to five years in federal prison for a false statement charge.

Ford lied in the initial investigation to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) agents, claiming he never possessed the assault pistol, authorities said. Later, he admitted that he possessed the assault pistol and claimed he kept it under his seat, they said.

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This information was determined following a firearms trace when law enforcement interviewed the original purchaser, who identified Ford as the person to whom she'd given the firearm.

ATF investigated this case alongside the Louisiana State Police, Shreveport Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.