Overview
- Charles Ford, 56, was charged Tuesday with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with lying to federal agents after investigators traced the short‑barreled AR‑style weapon to him.
- A criminal complaint says the original buyer gave the gun to Ford, who kept it under his truck seat, noticed it missing around March 9, and later admitted he believed Shamar Elkins took it after first denying he ever had it.
- Elkins, 31, allegedly killed eight children on Sunday in Shreveport, seven believed to be his own, wounded two women, and died after a police pursuit during a confrontation with officers.
- Prosecutors say Ford faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on both counts as federal and local agencies continue to examine the weapon’s chain of custody and the pursuit that ended Elkins’ life.
- Officials and advocates say the case underscores gaps in domestic‑violence prevention and mental‑health support, with ATF leaders stressing accountability for people who enable access to guns used in violent crimes.