A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children, seven of them his own, and critically wounded two women on Sunday, police said.

The suspected gunman, identified as Shamar Elkins, 31, shot a woman in one home before killing eight children at a second location, police confirmed.

The children were aged between 1 and 12 years old. One of the women shot was the mother of the suspect’s children, according to Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Chris Bordelon. She and a second woman remain in critical condition, while Elkins was killed after a police pursuit.

Seven children were found shot inside a home and an eighth child was found dead on the roof after they apparently tried to escape the attack, Bordelon added.

Authorities did not say what may have set off the violence but Bordelon said detectives were confident the shooting was “entirely a domestic incident.” It marks the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since January 2024, CNN reports.

Earlier Sunday, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said he was “taken aback” by the horrifying shooting.

“My heart goes out to this entire community for the tragic event that has taken place this morning,” Smith said. “I just don’t know what to say. My heart is just taken aback. I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur.”

He said the crime scene was “unlike anything most of us have ever seen.”

“This is a tragic situation, maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux added. “It’s a terrible morning in Shreveport.”

State Representative Tammy Phelps said at a news conference that she had “chills” after arriving at the scene.

“This is actually the district where I grew up, so it’s actually still close to home,” she told USA TODAY. “Once getting here, and hearing the story of…what actually happened in the home. I still have chills right now.”

Local leaders with connections to the area were equally shocked by the violence.

Satonia Small, who runs a local grassroots organization, told the outlet that she was “just overwhelmed today for this to happen in my community.”

Shreveport city councilman Grayson Boucher said the shooting doubled the city’s homicide rate in a single day.

“I’ve struggled all morning since I woke up,” Boucher said. “Over 30 percent of our crimes and 30 percent of our murders in the city of Shreveport are domestic in relation. Now, that number has gone up. We more than doubled our homicides in the city of Shreveport because of one act of domestic violence.”

Mack London, 71, told NBC News that he has lived in the neighborhood since 1991 and had never seen anything approaching the level of violence on display Sunday.

“Nothing like this has ever happened on this street,” he said. “It was bad…I hate that it happened to those kids.”

Another neighbor, Marie Montgomery, told the broadcaster that the removal of the children from the house was the worst thing she had ever witnessed.

“When they brought all those kids out of that house, that’s just the worst thing I ever seen,” she said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is from Shreveport, issued a statement on Sunday saying his team was in communication with local investigators.

“We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” Johnson wrote on X.

He said he had spoken with Arceneaux and described the shooting as a domestic issue that spiraled into violence.

“I just spoke with @ShreveportMayor Tom Arceneaux about the situation and the multiple law enforcement agencies currently engaged in the investigation to pledge any assistance we can possibly provide,” he wrote. “What apparently began as a domestic dispute this morning ended in a mass shooting with ten people shot—including eight children, ages 1 to 14, who all lost their lives.” Police said earlier the ages ranged from 1 to 14, before adjusting the number Sunday evening.

Members of Shreveport’s City Council visited the scene on Sunday afternoon where they held a public prayer for the victims and their families, NBC News reports.

Shreveport City Council chair Tabatha Taylor said the children killed “had their whole life ahead of them.”

“This is the result when someone snaps,” Taylor said. “So, I’m going to ask the community, along with prayer, with every mental health consultant that is out there — this family and this community needs you.”

Elkins had been arrested in 2019 in a firearms case, officials say. He previously served in the Louisiana National Guard, according to Fox News Digital.

“Shamar D. Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a Signal Support System Specialist (25U) and a Fire Support Specialist (13F),” an Army official told the outlet. “He has no deployment. He left the Army as a private.”

The city of Shreveport is in northwestern Louisiana, with a population of around 180,000.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick beat world number one Scottie Scheffler in a play-off to win the RBC Heritage in South Carolina.

The 31-year-old carded a bogey five on the 18th when a par would have sealed victory, but he quickly overcame that disappointment to birdie the same hole a few minutes later and claim his second PGA Tour title in the space of a month.

Fitzpatrick had started the final round with a three-shot lead as he attempted to follow up his victory at the Valspar Championship in March.

The former US Open champion played his first 17 holes in two under par without dropping a shot, but American Scheffler was able to close the gap to one by the time they stood together on the 18th tee.

Both players failed to find the green in two at the last and while Scheffler made it up and down for par to complete a four-under round of 67, Fitzpatrick’s poor chip led to his first bogey of the day.

But Sheffield-born Fitzpatrick hit a superb approach on the first play-off hole, before nervelessly sinking his birdie putt to win.

This latest victory continues his hot streak of form, having also finished second at last month’s Players Championship.

And it meant Scheffler, 29, had to be content with a second consecutive second-place finish, having finished as runner-up to Rory McIlroy at last week’s Masters.

Si-woo Kim of South Korea shot a final-round 68 to finish third on 16 under par, two shots behind Fitzpatrick and Scheffler.

The Cure Parkinson’s Cup is a national walking football tournament at St George’s Park, in Staffordshire, designed specifically for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.

Defying expectations, Sunderland-based North East Parkies United powered through the group stages unbeaten before overcoming some of the country’s biggest names to lift the trophy, leaving even the players “bursting with pride”.

Impressive wins over Arsenal and Brighton set up a final showdown with reigning champions Northern Lights, where the North East side secured a 1–0 victory.

North East Parkies United with the cup (Image: FOUNDATION OF LIGHT)

Speaking at a celebratory session at Sunderland‘s Beacon of Light, player Kevin Ramsey said: “It was a great feeling, great for the guys to get our hands on the huge, heavy trophy at the end of the day.

“There are 24 teams at St George’s, and every single player has Parkinson’s disease. It was a fantastic day, even without winning; it was very emotional. For us to win the trophy, it was just amazing.

“It’s our third tournament overall. We played at St George’s last year and then played at a tournament in Scotland where we got to the semi-finals.

“We’d shown some clear improvement, but our aim this time was to get out of the group. We didn’t, for one minute, imagine we’d win it, scoring 14 goals and only conceding two.”

The team came together from the Foundation of Light’s Neurological Walking Football sessions, which allow anyone with a neurological condition to take part and keep physically active through walking football.

For those with Parkinson’s disease, exercise is crucial to maintaining balance, mobility and continuing normal daily activities.

As the session grew and players became closer, they took the step into competitive football, creating North East Parkies United.

“I was bursting with pride,” Kevin said on the feeling of achieving something with a group of friends.

“I couldn’t ask for a better team. It’s not just the football, but the support in life too. We support each other and going through our daily issues that we have with Parkinson’s, it’s vital to have that support network.”

Teammate Adrian Wrigley echoed the sentiment, saying: “The team spirit was marvellous for the day.

“We learned the lessons from previous cups, and everyone joined in and did their part. I think just about everybody had a little tear in the eye because of the achievement that we felt.”

Teams from all across the country compete for the cup, and there is a strong supportive spirit amongst the Parkinson’s Walking Football community formed through shared experiences.

“It was a great day for everybody,” added Adrian.

“The banter between all the teams and the whole community was really good, everybody was there for the enjoyment as well as the competition.

“The development since the start of the programme has been immense and everybody gets a massive amount out of it. Just to control the Parkinson’s and the mental health, it’s brilliant.”

Under the new system, travellers must register their biometric information, which means having their fingerprints scanned and photographs taken.

They must also answer questions about their visit, such as whether they have somewhere to stay, enough money for their trip and a return ticket.

People visiting or leaving one of the 29 countries in Europe’s Schengen area (mostly the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) usually have to do the new checks.

EU Entry/Exit System – what UK travellers need to know

However, Brits going to Greece will not have to follow this process amid the new rules.

Eleni Skarveli, the director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK, has revealed that anyone with a British passport will be able to avoid the checks, The Independent reports.

She said the move aims to ensure “a smoother and more efficient arrival experience in Greece”.

Travellers can expect to spend less time waiting around at airports, as she said the move “is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and ease congestion at airports”.

Ms Skarveli told the newspaper: “Practically, this means that the entry process in place before the implementation of the EES will remain unchanged.”

ETIAS: What Brits need to know before travelling to Europe

A date when the change comes into effect has not yet been confirmed.

Newsquest has approached the Greek National Tourism Organisation for comment.

How long does the EES take?

Ahead of the launch of the new EES, the Home Office urged travellers to expect “longer wait times at border control”, while Advantage Travel Partnership advised visitors to southern Europe to “allocate four hours for navigating the new system”.

Recommended reading:

How long will EES registrations last?

EES registrations will last three years.

Any subsequent border crossing within that period will require an individual’s fingerprints and photograph to be verified, which is expected to be quicker than when they are registered.

Have you used the new EES? Let us know what you think about it in the comments.

The houses on Maids Causeway are perfectly located for easy access to the city centre.

It is widely known that Cambridge is an expensive city to live in. Rent prices here are high compared to the rest of the UK and houses often come with a hefty price tag.

If you are lucky, you might be able to buy a house in the city’s more affordable areas. For the most part, you will need a lot in your savings to buy a family home.

Many streets around the city have been nicknamed Millionaire’s Row, as most of the properties cost over £1 million. One of these streets includes Maids Causeway, close to the city centre, which features plenty of houses that sell for millions.

It is easy to see why, as the street is close to a range of facilities including the many restaurants and shops found along Fitzroy Street and Burleigh Street. The road is also surrounded by green spaces with Midsummer Common right just over the road.

Christ’s Pieces is also just a short walk away and features a children’s playground. It is also easy to reach the city centre where you can go shopping at the Grand Arcade or take a look around Cambridge Market. You can also find a range of museums, pubs, and restaurants to enjoy dotted along the busy streets.

A detached property on the road overlooks Midsummer Common and was last sold in September 2023 for £2,975,000. The rooms are spread across four different floors with five bedrooms and it has a library as well as a study and several bathrooms.

A terraced home with four bedrooms sold for £1,340,000 in June 2024, nearly doubling in price from the previous cost of £695,000 in April 2007.

If you want a property that does not cost over £1 million, the street is home to a few flats. This one bedroom flat last sold for £390,000 in November 2024 and comes with its own little garden area.

According to Capturing Cambridge, it is believed Maids Causeway got its name from “the benefit the raised causeway brought to the two poor widows and four ‘poor godly, ancient maidens’” who used to live in the Knight and Mortlock’s almshouses.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Around 25 protesters were arrested as around 1,000 animal welfare activists tried to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin and were met by officers firing pepper spray and rubber bullets, authorities said Sunday.

Saturday’s protest was the second attempt in as many months by demonstrators to take beagles from Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, about 25 miles (about 40 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Madison. They were turned back by officers who arrested the group’s leader.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office said the situation was “significantly calmer and more peaceful” on Sunday, when around 200 people assembled outside the farm. They dispersed after around two hours, it said.

“We’re pleased with the group’s cooperation today, and their willingness to remain peaceful, while still sending their message of concern for the dogs at Ridglan Farms,” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement. “We are happy to support anyone who wants to exercise the right to protest, as long as they do so lawfully.”

The sheriff had said in a video statement Saturday that 300 to 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property.” They tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence.

Some got through the fence but were unable to enter the facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.

Those arrested included the leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, who was being held on a tentative felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary. But most arrestees were just booked and released, the sheriff’s office said Sunday.

“No one should be assaulted for giving aid to a dog, even if damage to property is part of that rescue effort,” Hsuing said in a statement from jail Sunday that also accused authorities of using excessive force. “The animals of this Earth are not “things.” They’re sentient beings. And we have the right to rescue them from abuse,” he concluded.

Protesters took 30 dogs when they broke into the facility in March, when authorities arrested 27 people.

Ridglan denies mistreating animals but agreed in October to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 in a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.

On its website, the company says “no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated.”

The force are appealing for the public’s help, as part of their search, after the man escaped police custody when he was taken to the hospital due to claiming that he ‘felt unwell’

Police are hunting for a man after he escaped police custody by claiming to ‘feel unwell’.

Gary Gainard, 47, was arrested in Bristol on Saturday, April 18, for failing to attend court on shop theft charges.

However, following his arrest he managed to escape the custody unit and police are urging anybody with information to contact them.

Avon and Somerset Police said that Gainard was taken from the custody unit to the Royal United Hopsital, Bath after claims he did not feel well.

Here, he escaped from officers at 2.30pm.

The force have carried out searched supported by a dog unit and with a National Police Air Service Helicopter but Gainard remains at large.

The 47-year-old is described as being around five foot five, and white, with short brown hair. According to the police he has links to south Bristol.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We’re trying to trace Gary Gainard, 47, wanted for escaping lawful custody.

“He was arrested in Bristol on Saturday, April 18, for failing to attend court on shop theft charges, but escaped after being taken from custody to hospital in Bath.

“If you see him, please call 999 ref 5226106044.”

Durham Castle forms part of the twin UNESCO-designated World Heritage sites along with the cathedral.

As part of World Heritage Day on Saturday (April 18), both medieval “jewels” in Durham’s crown were open to the public.

The event was intended to bring the history of Durham and its twin World Heritage Sites to life, combining entertainment with discovery to appeal to visitors of all ages.

Family group pictured on the steps of the Great Hall, taking advantage of free tours of Durham Castle as part of World Heritage Day, on Saturday (April 18) (Image: Durham University)

Organised by Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site Partnership and County Durham Forum for History and Heritage (CDFHH), it tied in with this year’s World Heritage Day theme of, ‘Living Heritage’.

By day, the castle is a working building, forming part of University College, the founding college of Durham University, and provides novel halls of residence to some of its students.

It can only usually be visited on occasional pre-booked, paid for tours, so Saturday’s free event was a rare opportunity for members of the public to cast a glance at some of its historic nooks and crannies.

The castle hosted ‘The People’s Story’ with a Heritage Fair and family activities in the Great Hall, showcasing local history societies, including the World Heritage Site Youth Ambassadors.

Following a formal welcome to visitors by The Mayor of Durham, councillor Gary Hutchinson, the castle opened for four-and-a-quarters with free entry and self-guided tours of the Tunstall Chapel, Tunstall Gallery, the Norman Chapel and Senate Room, where medieval wall painting was recently discovered.

The Norman Knights of Vanguard re-enactment group was also in action in the castle courtyard, with displays of their swordsmanship.

Vanguard re-enactment group gave displays of their swordsmanship as part of World Heritage Day open day event at Durham Castle (Image: Durham University)

Nearby sites such as Palace Green Library, the Museum of Archaeology and World Heritage Site Visitor Centre were also open for visitors to explore.

The day’s events begin at 10am with a tour of St Margaret’s Allotments, off South Street, Durham, the quarry site from which the stone to build the castle and cathedral was taken.

A series of talks and presentations took place during the day in the Bishop’s Dining Room of the castle, including a reflection on the 40th anniversary of Durham being awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Durham Cathedral and the Cathedral Museum was also to the public, with 30-minute talks on its conservation.

Anne Allen, World Heritage Site Manager, said: “The day’s activities were planned in response to feedback from recent public consultation.

“We focused on opening the castle free of charge and co-creating an intergenerational people’s heritage programme, so everyone could experience the best of the World Heritage Site.”

World Heritage Day is a worldwide annual event, officially known as the International Day of Monuments and Sites, celebrated at UNESCO Sites across the world on 18 April each year. 

Today was the second of four days when artists working in a huge range of disciplines in the city invite the public into their studios.

They will open their doors again on Saturday and Sunday.

Printmaker Susan Bradley at the 2026 York Open Studios (Image: Newsquest)

Susan Bradley was a furniture designer, designing products that were sold across the world until she had children and decided they were more important than attending the international fairs and exhibitions that were an integral part of her work.

So she changed careers, trained as a yoga teacher and turned herself into a print maker, using lino cut and intaglio techniques.

“I no longer do 3D,” she said. “I am now a print maker, in 2D”.

She said she enjoyed being able to do all of a project herself, from conception through the final artwork. Previously, she only designed a product which others then made.

As well as printing onto pristine paper, she particularly likes printing onto paper that has already been printed on, such as an unwanted music score.

“I like doing something unique,” she said of her work on pre-printed paper. “It cannot be duplicated.”

Metalworker Laura Duval at the 2026 York Open Studios (Image: Newsquest)

Another artist who works at South Bank Studios at Southlands Road Methodist Church, is metalworker Laura Duval.

She was a painter, but when doing an art degree at York St John University, realised it wasn’t what she wanted to do.

So she moved to a course at York College where one of the projects was making a spoon.

As she tackled it, she knew she had found her form of art – working with metal.

“I love the hammering,” she said. “It’s therapeutic.  I’m not a jeweller, I’m not a metalsmith, I’m something inbetween, a metalworker.”

Her preferred metal is copper because it’s “warm”, malleable and she can relate to it.

Her art includes jewellery and larger ornaments.

Painter Carolyn Coles at the 2026 York Open Studios (Image: Newsquest)

Both are among more than 150 artists at more than 100 venues across York taking part in this year’s Open Studios, including Carolyn Coles, painter, of South Bank Studios.

They will receive visitors again from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Full details are on the event’s website: https://yorkopenstudios.co.uk/.

“We urge the RMT to call off this action, which will disrupt Londoners, and continue to engage with us. If this strike action goes ahead customers should check before they travel as on some days during the strike, there will be significant disruption and the level of service we can provide will vary across lines.”