Federal prosecutors have charged 56-year-old Charles Ford in connection with the mass shooting that devastated Shreveport, Louisiana, this past weekend. Ford, a Shreveport resident, faces federal charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for making false statements to law enforcement officials regarding the weapon used in the April 19 attack, which claimed the lives of eight children.
The shooting, carried out by 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, resulted in a horrific tragedy in which Elkins murdered seven of his own children and one other child before being killed by police following a chase.
The criminal complaint alleges that Ford, who is a convicted felon and legally prohibited from possessing firearms, had been in possession of the rifle that Elkins ultimately used to commit the rampage.
According to court documents, investigators discovered the connection after tracing the weapon back to its original purchaser, who informed agents that she had given the firearm to Ford.
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When initially questioned by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Ford allegedly lied about his possession of the weapon, though he later admitted to having it and claimed he believed Elkins had taken it from him.
United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller emphasized the gravity of the charges and the community’s profound loss, 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 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.” Keller added that while Elkins’ death prevented him from facing trial, the prosecution of Ford is a necessary step toward accountability.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson echoed this sentiment, highlighting the broader consequences of illegal firearms proliferation in the community.
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“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,” Jackson said. If convicted on both federal charges, Ford faces up to 20 years in prison.
The investigation remains ongoing, involving coordination between the ATF, the Shreveport Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
