A crowd of heart-broken mourners bid a final, tearful farewell Saturday to eight children killed in a predawn mass shooting carried out last month in Shreveport, La., by the father of most of the victims.
Led by a procession of grieving families and eight white caskets, the service at Summer Grove Baptist Church centered on a raw sermon from Pastor Kim Burrell, who reminded those searching for answers that even in the face of the unthinkable, “God is still on the throne.”
“To ask the question, ‘Why is this fair, God? How could you, Lord? he’s still God,” said Kim Burrell, who is also a gospel singer, to mourners.
“The same God that healed you from the stuff that you don’t want to tell nobody about. But he is a God that doesn’t have to give us all the clues. Just know that he makes no mistakes.”
Shamar Elkins, father seven of the of the victims, shot the children with an assault rifle on April 11. He managed to acquire the weapon despite a previous felony firearms conviction. His wife and another woman were wounded. The other child killed was a cousin of the victims.
The funeral’s pamphlet honored each of the children — whose ages ranged from 3 to 11 — with their nicknames and descriptions of their personalities: “a sweet and loving heart,” and “bright, intelligent bold and full of love.”
Other speakers included Shreveport Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor, who emphasized that there “are no words sufficient to ease this pain.” Councilman James Green asked attendees to utilize the funeral as a “celebration” of the victims’ lives.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed condolences on behalf of the city, and said that residents should “honor hem by carrying forward the gentleness, joy and love they so freely shared.”
Louisiana Governor Tom Landry echoed Mayor Arceneaux, saying “They were full of promise and found joy in the simples things, such as dancing, playing outside and sharing laughter with family and friends.”
“Their futures were bright and held great promise.”
Churchgoers applauded the speakers, and the victims’ names were read aloud and shown throughout the service. White flowers and ferns adorned the caskets.
Federal investigators have since indicted two men in connection with the case. Charles Ford was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and providing Elkins with the assault-style rifle used in the shooting.
Michael Mayence was also indicted on firearm charges after police recovered multiple guns from his home. The investigation is ongoing.
