Man whose gun is connected to 8 children's murders to stay in federal custody

SHREVEPORT, La. – The man who had the gun that Shamar Elkins used to kill eight children last month will stay in federal custody until his trial.

Charles Ford appeared in U.S. District Court Monday morning for a detention hearing.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Hornsby ruled there are no conditions of release that would reasonably assure the safety of the community should Ford be released. He ordered Ford remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Office.

Ford pleaded not guilty last week to charges of felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents. A trial has not yet been set.

Investigators allege Ford illegally possessed the firearm that authorities say Shamar Elkins used on April 19 during the murders of his seven children and one of their cousins then later lied to agents during the investigation.

A separate federal indictment charges Michael Mayence with possessing a firearm while being subject to a domestic violence injunction. Investigators searched his home following Elkins’ arrival there after the shooting and found four guns, prosecutors said.

Elkins took his own life at Mayence’s home after admitting to the murders, according to Robert Mayence, who is Michael Mayence’s brother.

Two of the slain children’s mothers were shot but survived. Another mother and one of her children suffered other injuries while escaping.