Shreveport community leaders call for support and action

(The Center Square) – Roadways are busy with commuters while kids hop on and off school buses but the start of this work week is like no other in Shreveport.

Communities, schools and concerned people are grieving and broken after a profound mass shooting tragedy shattered a quiet Sunday morning in the city’s blue collar Cedar Grove neighborhood. Eight young children were shot to death by suspect Shamar Elkins, father to seven of the kids. The eighth child was a family member.

Caddo Parish Commissioner Stormy Gage-Watts asked for resources in the form of trained trauma professionals available to the community from a mobile command center.

“Prayer is not the only thing this family needs,” she said during Monday’s Commission work session. “They need love and they need respect.”

Commissioner Steffon Jones said, “I am at a loss for words. I don’t want my constituency and the family to think I have nothing to say. It’s just been really difficult to navigate through this. Cedar Grove is our home, wh...