Authorities in western Louisiana have taken a 56‑year‑old Shreveport resident into custody after linking him to the firearm used by Shamar Elkins in a horrific shooting that claimed the lives of eight children. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana confirmed that Charles Ford, the man now facing federal charges, was the previous owner of the assault‑style rifle that Elkins used to murder his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, and his alleged girlfriend, Christina Snow, before turning his weapon on his seven children and a nephew. Both women survived but remain hospitalized, while Elkins died during a police chase.
Background of the Shreveport Shooting
On a quiet Sunday in early April, the quiet suburb of Shreveport was shattered by a series of gunshots that would soon dominate national headlines. Shamar Elkins, a 31‑year‑old father, opened fire inside his home, first targeting his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, and his alleged girlfriend, Christina Snow. After wounding the two women, Elkins proceeded to the family’s living area where he shot his seven children—ages ranging from a few months to early teens—and the 12‑year‑old nephew of his wife.
First‑responders arrived to find a scene of unimaginable tragedy. Pugh and Snow were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, while the children were pronounced dead at the scene. Elkins fled the house, prompting a massive police pursuit that ended when officers shot and killed him near a highway overpass. The weapon used in the massacre was later identified as a semi‑automatic rifle with a high‑capacity magazine, commonly referred to as an assault‑style gun.
Charles Ford’s Arrest and the Weapon Trail
Investigators quickly turned their attention to the rifle’s ownership history. Federal agents discovered that the gun had been registered to Charles Ford, a Shreveport businessman with no prior violent record. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Ford sold the firearm to a third party in early 2025, after which it changed hands several times before ending up in Elkins’ possession.
During a recorded interview with law‑enforcement officials, Ford claimed that Elkins had stolen the rifle from his pickup truck sometime in the weeks leading up to the shooting. He told investigators that he had stored the gun in the back of his vehicle while traveling to a job site and that he noticed it missing upon returning. Ford’s statements have been corroborated by a neighbor who reported seeing a man matching Elkins’ description loading a large firearm into a vehicle on the same day.
Based on this evidence, a federal grand jury indicted Ford on two counts:
- Providing a firearm to a known felon, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(6).
- Conspiracy to facilitate the unlawful use of a firearm, under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).
Ford was arrested at his home on April 20, 2026, and is being held without bail pending a preliminary hearing. He has pleaded not guilty and his defense team argues that the prosecution’s case hinges on circumstantial evidence and that Ford never knowingly transferred the gun to Elkins.
Legal Implications and Ongoing Investigation
The case raises several complex legal questions, particularly around the chain of custody for firearms and the responsibilities of owners who sell or otherwise relinquish weapons. Federal law requires that sellers conduct a background check on any buyer, but the law also provides a limited exemption for private transfers between individuals who are not engaged in the business of dealing firearms. Prosecutors allege that Ford’s failure to verify the buyer’s eligibility constitutes a criminal breach.
In addition to the federal charges, Louisiana state authorities are reviewing whether Ford violated state statutes governing the sale and transfer of firearms. If convicted, Ford could face up to ten years in federal prison for each count, plus additional penalties under state law.
The investigation also continues to explore whether any other individuals were involved in moving the weapon from Ford’s possession to Elkins. Detectives have
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