Shreveport is now at the center of a painful federal case after authorities arrested a 56-year-old man tied to a firearm used in a mass shooting that left eight children dead. The man, Charles Ford, is facing serious gun-related charges as investigators continue to piece together how the weapon changed hands before the attack.
Federal prosecutors say Ford is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements to federal agents. The case is connected to a violent incident on April 19, when Shamar Elkins carried out a mass shooting before later being killed in a confrontation with police.
Authorities allege the firearm in question was the same one used by Elkins during the attack. Investigators say they traced the weapon back through interviews with its original purchaser, who identified Ford as the person who had received it.
Court records state that Ford was legally barred from owning firearms because of earlier felony convictions. Those convictions include simple robbery in 2000 and domestic abuse battery in 2011, both of which prevent him from possessing any gun under federal law.
When first questioned by federal agents, Ford reportedly denied ever having the weapon. Later, he changed his account and said he had kept the gun under the seat of his truck. He also claimed Elkins, who he said was one of the few people who rode in his vehicle, may have taken it before the shooting.
Ford further told investigators that when he confronted Elkins about the firearm, Elkins became aggressive, and he decided to step away from the situation. Authorities have not said Ford knew anything about Elkins’ plans for the attack.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that the investigation is still active. They said every detail around how Elkins obtained the weapon is being reviewed, especially given the scale of the tragedy that followed.
If convicted, Ford faces up to 15 years in federal prison on the firearm charge and up to five years for making false statements. Officials said the case is part of a wider effort to understand how the weapon reached the shooter before the deadly April 19 attack.
