Tragedy in Shreveport over the weekend as eight children are shot to death in the country’s worst mass murder in more than two years. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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The state legislature is working to create a pilot program, so veterans and others dealing with PTSD, chronic depression or substance abuse can take advantage of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Jeff Palermo has the story.
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Now that the House has sent the budget to the Senate, the debate over funding for the LA GATOR scholarship program will intensify. Jeanne Burns has the story.
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It’s the worst mass murder in the U.S. in more than two years. Eight children were shot to death in Shreveport early yesterday morning – seven were siblings, and an eighth was a cousin. Shreveport Police Corporal Christopher Bordelon says the three boys and five girls range in age from three to 11 years old.
Cut 4 (08) “…is Shamar Elkins.”
(The shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins.) Bordelon says a ninth child was able to escape.
Cut 5 (05) “…to get away.”
Bordelon says Elkins first went into a home on Harrison Street and shot his wife inside.
Cut 6 (08) “…will pull through.”
Then Elkins went into a home on West 79th Street a short distance away and shot another woman before shooting all eight children execution-style.
While the investigation is in the early stages, we’re learning that this stemmed from an argument related to the separation Elkins had been going through with his wife; in fact, the two were scheduled to have a court hearing today. Shreveport Police officers chased Elkins to a neighborhood in Bossier City following a carjacking, where officers shot and killed him.
The Caddo Parish coroner’s office says all eight victims were identified by their mothers:
- Jayla Elkins, 3
- Shayla Elkins, 5
- Kayla Pugh, 6
- Layla Pugh, 7
- Markaydon Pugh, 10
- Braylon Snow, 5
- Khedarrion Snow, 6
- Sariahh Snow, 11
The tragedy has shaken the entire Shreveport community to the core. Shreveport Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor was especially emotional.
Cut 7 (13) “…and I’m sorry.”
State Representative Tammy Phelps, whose district includes the location where this incident occurred, says this tragedy is gut-wrenching for the entire community, especially those who were called to the scene.
Cut 8 (16) “…mentally as well.”
Caddo Parish Commissioner Ronald Cothran says this is further proof that domestic violence remains a major problem in Shreveport, in Louisiana and all across the country, and something needs to be done to break the cycle.
Cut 9 (06) “…expect different results.”
Shreveport Police will be holding a news conference later today to give an update on the investigation into this tragedy.
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The Louisiana Senate has approved legislation that could allow veterans and others suffering from PTSD and chronic depression to have access to psychedelic-assisted therapy. Mandeville Senator Patrick McMath’s legislation would provide opioid settlement dollars to academic health centers to conduct clinical studies to determine if alternative treatments such as psilocybin (sigh-lo-SIGH-bin) and ibogaine (ib-OH-guh-een) work.
Cut 10 (10) “…is also treatment.”
Ibogaine and psilocybin are classified as Schedule One drugs, so they are federally illegal. But McMath says these psychedelics are used in other countries, and there is an over 90-percent success rate when it comes to treating PTSD, chronic depression, and heroin and alcohol dependency.
Cut 11 (09) “…is a cleansing.”
Major General Glenn Curtis, the former leader of the Louisiana National Guard, traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, along with his son, who suffered two head injuries during his military service, and he couldn’t believe the results after taking ibogaine.
Cut 12 (09) “…lease on life.”
The Trump administration has taken notice, as the President signed an executive order to review ibogaine and other psychedelics. McMath’s bill is waiting to be heard in the House.
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The Louisiana House has approved a budget proposal that doubles the funding of the LA GATOR scholarship program. It is the state’s voucher program that mainly serves low-income families, providing state tax dollars for children to attend a private school. Senate President Cameron Henry continues to oppose doubling the size of LA GATOR.
Cut 13 (08) “…year just because.”
But Governor Jeff Landry said on WRKF’s Talk Louisiana that the public wants to see the program expand, because it will give more parents, more options…
Cut 14 (07) “…a ZIP code.”
Henry says LA GATOR is only a year old, and the state should see whether the students in the program are improving academically and whether the state is receiving what it’s spending on the vendors who run the program.
Cut 15 (07) “…done by odyessy.”
Landry says one of his main objectives is to provide more options for parents who have children with disabilities.
Cut 16 (15) “…decide to do.”
The Senate will spend the next several weeks discussing the budget.
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The LSU Tigers were swept for a second consecutive time in SEC play for the first time since 2021 as Texas A&M dominated the Bayou Bengals, outscoring them 22-8. Ole Miss swept LSU the weekend before in Oxford, and Coach Jay Johnson knew this part of the schedule would be difficult.
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On Sunday, LSU lost five to two as the Tiger hitters were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and Zac Cowan gave up four runs in two and two-thirds innings. LSU is now 6-and-12 in SEC play, but Johnson is not giving up on the season and expects the players to keep fighting.
Cut 18 (12) “…that to them.”
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This is the final week of spring practice for LSU, and one of the more notable performers has been running back Dilin Jones, who has moved to the top of the depth chart. Jones was Wisconsin’s starting running back last season before his year was cut short by turf toe. He says his decision to come to LSU, despite the Tigers already having a crowded running back room, came down to the coaching staff.
Cut 19 (16) “…why not LSU?”
Jones says he brings a variety of skills to the Tigers’ offense and running back room.
Cut 20 (14) “…is there too.”