Officers said the incident began about 05:00 local time (10:00 BST). A single gunman shot 10 people before fleeing in a stolen car. Police then chased and killed the suspected shooter. BBC reported.
"We have hurting families, we have hurting police officers, coroners' personnel," Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said. "This affects the entire community, so we all mourn with these families."
Police did not identify the suspected gunman or the victims, but said some of the children were related to the deceased man.
"This is a tragic situation - maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had in Shreveport," the mayor added. He asked for prayers for the families and the city.
Police said there were mutiple crime scenes, including two homes on the same block on West 79th Street and a third residence in the neighbourhood on Harrison Street.
Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon said officers attended a home shortly before 06:00 local time and found the children.
"All of the deceased in this case are juveniles," Bordelon said.
He said officers determined the call was "domestic in nature" and added that one of those shot at the home had fled to a nearby residence.
