The registered owner of the firearm used to kill eight children in Shreveport, Louisiana, has told investigators the weapon was stolen from his truck in the weeks before the shooting, according to Sky News.
The disclosure adds a new dimension to an already complex investigation into one of the most deadly attacks on children seen in the United States in recent memory. Authorities are working to establish the chain of custody of the weapon and how it came to be used in the massacre.
What is known about the shooting
Eight children were killed in the attack in Shreveport. Investigators have been examining the background of those connected to the incident, including previous firearms-related convictions among individuals linked to the case, Sky News reported.
The gun owner's claim that the weapon was stolen before the shooting is a significant piece of information for investigators attempting to trace how the firearm ended up at the scene. Theft of firearms from vehicles is a common route by which guns enter illegal circulation in the United States.
Broader context
Gun theft from private vehicles has long been identified by law enforcement agencies as a major contributor to the flow of illegal firearms. According to data from advocacy groups and law enforcement, hundreds of thousands of guns are stolen from cars across the country each year.
Louisiana has consistently ranked among U.S. states with higher rates of gun violence. Shreveport, the state's third-largest city, has in recent years experienced elevated levels of violent crime compared to national averages.
Authorities have not yet publicly named all individuals under investigation or confirmed the full circumstances surrounding the attack. The investigation remains ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as law enforcement continues its work.
Sky News, which reported the stolen gun claim, noted that a suspect connected to the case had a prior firearms conviction, a detail that investigators are likely to factor into the broader inquiry.
