Eight children killed in Louisiana shooting

Eight children have been killed in a shooting early this morning in the southern US state of Louisiana, in what police said appears to have been an incident of domestic violence.

The gunman, who was not immediately identified, was fatally shot by police after a car chase, officials said.

The incident took place in the city of Shreveport, in northwestern Louisiana.

"This is a rather extensive crime scene spanning between two residences," police Corporal Chris Bordelon told a press conference, adding that a third residence was also part of the scene being combed by investigators.

Watch: Police say shooting was 'domestic disturbance'
The victims ranged in age from one to 14, Mr Bordelon said.

"Some of the children inside were his descendants," he added.

Two other people were struck by gunfire, but their conditions were not immediately known.

The suspect hijacked a car and led police on a chase before officers opened fire and the assailant was killed.

"We do believe him to be the only individual that fired gunshots at these locations," Mr Bordelon said, calling the incident a "domestic disturbance".

The United States, where firearms are readily available, is a frequent scene of gun violence, with thousands of people killed every year.

"It's a terrible morning in Shreveport and we all mourn with the victims," Mayor Tom Arceneaux said at the press conference.

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson, a Shreveport native, posted on social media that his team was in touch with local police about the "heartbreaking tragedy."
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry posted to social media that he and his wife "are heartbroken over this horrific situation, and we're praying for everyone affected".

It is the latest mass shooting in the United States this year.

Not including this weekend's incident in Shreveport, the Gun Violence Archive lists at least 119 mass shootings in the United States this year, resulting in 117 deaths, including 79 children, and 458 people injured.

The archive defines a mass shooting as an incident in which at least four people, not including the shooter, are injured or killed by gunfire.

The United States had 407 mass shootings last year, according to archive data.