Arrest of Charles Ford in Connection to Firearms Case

Charles Ford, a 56-year-old with a criminal record, was taken into custody on Tuesday. He faces charges for aiding a 31-year-old father from Shreveport in acquiring firearms, after this father allegedly murdered eight of his own children.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana announced that on April 21, 2026, they filed serious charges against Ford. These include being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to a federal officer. The accusations relate to firearms connected to a shooting incident on April 19, perpetrated by Shamar Elkins. If convicted, Ford could face a lengthy prison sentence—up to 15 years for the firearm possession charge and five years for the false statements.

Law enforcement conducted interviews and traced the original gun buyer, discovering he was someone from whom Ford obtained a vehicle. Ford, who is prohibited from carrying firearms due to his felony status, initially misled agents from the ATF about his possession of a firearm, insisting he didn’t have one. He later confessed to owning a firearm, claiming he had it hidden under his seat. Ford also acknowledged that he suspected Elkins was armed.

Reports indicate that Elkins, the 31-year-old shooter, had a troubled legal history. He had previously been sentenced to probation in 2019 for gun-related charges.

Further investigation revealed that Elkins was arrested in March 2019, facing charges for unlawfully using a weapon near a school. This incident occurred very close to the Caddo Magnet school, where it was reported he discharged a firearm while children were outside.

In October 2019, Elkins pleaded guilty to illegal weapon possession and received 18 months of probation, although the actual firearm charge was dismissed.

According to a spokesperson for the Shreveport Police Department, it appears that Elkins was likely prohibited from legally owning a firearm, a consequence of his prior criminal convictions.