Eight children aged between one and fourteen were killed early Sunday in a shooting across several homes in Shreveport, Louisiana, according to local police reports cited by multiple media outlets. The incident left a total of ten people shot. Police believe the attack may have been linked to a family dispute. The suspected gunman was killed during a police chase after allegedly hijacking a vehicle while attempting to flee.

Authorities have not released the identity of the shooter but confirmed that some of the victims were members of the suspect’s own family. Shreveport Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon provided details of the pursuit and the suspect’s death. Local resident London told CNBC that such violence was unprecedented in the neighborhood, expressing deep shock and sadness over the children’s deaths.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arcenaux described the event as possibly the most tragic situation the city has ever faced. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has represented Shreveport for nearly a decade, called the shooting a heartbreaking tragedy and said his team is in contact with local law enforcement.