Investigators probe how a Louisiana gunman who killed eight children got his weapon despite an illegal firearms conviction. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are uncertain as a ceasefire deadline looms. And Virginians will vote whether to allow a Democrat-drawn congressional map to be used in the midterm elections — it could net them up to four seats.
Here’s what to know today.
Louisiana man's access to firearms questioned after 8 kids killed
Investigators are looking into how Shamar Elkins, a former National Guardsman identified as the gunman who killed eight children in Louisiana, got a gun despite an illegal firearms conviction on his record. The development comes a day after the violence unfolded in Shreveport in what Mayor Tom Arceneaux described as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had” in the city.
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According to Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is looking into how Elkins obtained the assault-style pistol used in the shooting, which was described as a domestic violence incident. Elkins was arrested in 2019 and convicted of illegal use of a firearm — a conviction that likely prohibited him from legally owning firearms, said Shreveport Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon.
And recently, Elkins had sought mental health treatment from the local Veteran Affairs medical center, staying for a week and a half, according to his brother-in-law, Troy Brown.
Elkins was the father of seven of the eight children who were killed, Bordelon said; one of the children was a cousin, according to the coroner’s office. Elkins also shot and seriously injured his wife and another woman believed to be his girlfriend, police said.
What else we know so far about Elkins’ background.
Staff Pick: How one of the internet's favorite watch influencers ended up (briefly) behind bars
I’m not that into watches. I have an Apple Watch I wear sometimes. But I knew “Vookum.” He was the guy who was always hustling, looking for a high-end watch he could buy and sell, sometimes in a matter of hours, on the streets of New York City. He blew up on social media along with other luxury watch influencers.
So it was pretty jarring when Vookum — whose real name is Tyler Mikorski — made a very different video recounting how he had been arrested and put in jail for three days. To me, it was a wild story, but also one that had some very familiar elements. The most notable: scams on social media using the personas of popular influencers.
Usually, the victims are people who were bilked out of their money. This time, there was a victim on the other side: Tyler. His story felt like one that should reach a wider audience and one that would be reasonably easy for us to tell. His shop is just a couple streets down from Rockefeller Center.
This story also comes with an important lesson: When buying anything online, be very, very careful. — Jason Abbruzzese, assistant managing editor
U.S. and Iran talks uncertain as ceasefire deadline nears
The status of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran was uncertain a day before the two-week ceasefire between the two countries and Israel was set to expire. President Donald Trump said Iran would face problems “like they’ve never seen before” if leaders don’t negotiate. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that Iran would not accept negotiations with the U.S. “under the shadow of threat” and has prepared “new cards on the battlefield.”
While Vice President JD Vance and other U.S. negotiators appeared set to travel to Pakistan for a new round of peace talks, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said “no decision has been made” on whether to take part.
The U.S. is also expected to host a second round of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon this Thursday, according to a State Department official and an Israeli official.
Follow our live blog for the latest updates.
More Iran news:
- For subscribers: A tense Islamabad is willing the peace talks to happen, reports NBC News’ Keir Simmons in the city.
- Israel’s leaders and military have condemned an Israeli soldier pictured damaging a statue of Jesus Christ.
Virginians to decide whether to allow new map for midterms
Voters in Virginia are headed to the polls today to decide the fate of a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for a new congressional map — the latest fight in the mid-decade redistricting war that has unfolded across the country partly fueled by Trump. Under the proposed map for Virginia, Democrats would be in a position to hold up to 10 of the state’s 11 districts, rather than the current six.
Democrats, who signaled cautious optimism going into today, have framed the fight as a response to Trump pressuring GOP-led states to redraw their district lines. Republicans, meanwhile, have accused Democrats of a power grab, with Trump himself calling into a conservative talk show to urge voters to reject the “unfair” map.
A closer look at Dems’ efforts to rally voters.
More politics news:
- Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer resigned from her post as she faced an investigation for potential misconduct.
- Rep. Nancy Mace introduced a resolution to expel Rep. Cory Mills from Congress over accusations that include sexual misconduct.
- For subscribers: Graham Platner, a combat veteran, is angry about Trump’s military action in Iran. That frustration is his greatest strength as he seeks the Democratic nomination in one of the most critical Senate races this year.
Tim Cook to step down as Apple's CEO
John Ternus will become Apple’s next CEO on Sept. 1, and Tim Cook will take the role of executive chairman, the tech company announced yesterday.
Cook, who has led Apple since 2011, said in a news release that being CEO was “the greatest privilege of my life.” During Cook’s tenure, Apple launched multiple successful updates to the iPhone, Mac, Apple TV and other critical products. The company also expanded into services for everything from cloud storage to streaming entertainment under Cook’s watch.
Ternus, who has worked on Apple’s design team since 2001, was “instrumental” to product lines such as the iPhone and AirPods, the company said.
Despite Apple’s many successes, it has struggled with the adoption of artificial intelligence. Read more about Apple’s struggles with AI.
Read All About It
- A gunman at Mexico’s Teotihuacán pyramids killed a Canadian woman and injured several other people before killing himself, authorities said.
- A Detroit gas station clerk is being hailed as a local hero after he saved a teen girl from a man after she silently mouthed the word “help.”
- Singer D4vd pleaded not guilty after he was charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 14-year old girl whose remains were found in his Tesla.
- For subscribers: The psychedelic drug ibogaine is in the spotlight after a Trump signed an executive order. Here’s what to know about it and why it faces a long road to FDA approval.
NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified
Graduation season is upon us. Go beyond your standard gift with one of these fun and somewhat bizarre grad presents (including several that are on sale). Plus, take a look at the best portable air conditioners for summer and sandals with arch support that’ll keep your feet comfy all day long.
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