In Shreveport, Louisiana, a tragic incident unfolded early Sunday as a gunman claimed the lives of eight children across two residences, marking the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in over two years, according to local police.

Chris Bordelon, a spokesperson for the Shreveport police, reported that the young victims were between the ages of one and approximately 14. In total, ten individuals were shot, with some of the children having familial ties to the shooter.

The suspect met his end following a police pursuit during which officers opened fire. The gunman had fled the scene in a stolen vehicle, prompting the chase, as detailed by Bordelon.

Authorities have not disclosed the suspect’s identity, though they confirmed he was an adult male. Bordelon noted that the shootings stemmed from a “domestic disturbance.”

As investigations continue, officials remain at the crime scenes located south of Shreveport’s downtown area, encompassing two homes and an additional site.

“This is a vast crime scene, the likes of which many of us have never encountered,” Bordelon remarked.

It was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.

“I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”

“This is a tragic situation – maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It’s a terrible morning.”

Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.

State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.

This story has been corrected to attribute the statements about the shooting to police spokesperson Chris Bordelon, not Police Chief Wayne Smith.