Investigators say the man who shot eight kids, including seven of his own, to death was suffering from mental health issues, including PTSD. Shreveport Police Corporal Christopher Bordelon says 31-year-old Shemar Elkins shot his wife inside one home, then went into another home and shot a woman and eight children. Bordelon says a ninth child was able to escape.
Shreveport officers later shot Elkins to death following a chase that ended in Bossier City.
This tragedy is also shining a massive spotlight on domestic violence that continues to plague the entire country. State Senator Sam Jenkins, whose district includes the location where the shooting occurred, said there needs to be a proactive approach to ending the cycle of domestic violence.
Cut 23 (09) “…witnessed here today.”
The Louisiana House last week approved a budget proposal that doubles the funding of the LA GATOR scholarship program. That’s 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 one of his main objectives is to provide more options for parents who have children with disabilities.
The Senate will discuss the budget for the next several weeks; the legislature has until June 1st to get it onto Landry’s desk.