Federal grand juries indicts 2 in connection to Cedar Grove mass shooting aftermath
SHREVEPORT, La. — Federal grand juries have formally indicted two men in connection with investigations tied to the April 19 mass shooting in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood that left eight children dead.
SHREVEPORT, La. — Federal grand juries have formally indicted two men in connection with investigations tied to the April 19 mass shooting in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood that left eight children dead.
During a news conference Friday morning, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced indictments against Charles Ford and Michael Mayence as state and federal investigators continue piecing together the timeline surrounding accused gunman Shamar Elkins’ final hours before his death.
Authorities say Elkins killed eight children — including seven of his own — and wounded three others, including his wife, before fleeing the scene. Investigators later said Elkins drove to a home in Bossier City belonging to Mayence, an Iraq War veteran and former Louisiana National Guard member who knew Elkins for years.
According to federal prosecutors, Ford was indicted on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents. Investigators allege Ford illegally possessed the firearm that authorities say Elkins used during the mass shooting and later lied to agents during the investigation.
A separate federal indictment charges Mayence with possessing a firearm while being subject to a domestic violence injunction. Investigators searched his home following Elkins’ arrival there after the shooting.
According to federal prosecutors, four guns were recovered from Mayence's home.
In an interview with KTBS 3 News, Robert Mayence said his brother was the last known person to speak with Elkins before he died outside the Bossier City home.
“He was just waking up and woke up to this. It was chaotic. Michael was scared,” Robert Mayence said.
Robert Mayence said Elkins confessed to what he had done during the brief encounter outside the home then took his own life.
Ford and Mayence will appear in federal court next week.