SHREVEPORT — A Shreveport man was sentenced to over six years in prison for illegally possessing the firearm used by a gunman to kill eight children in Shreveport.

Charles Ford, 56, from Shreveport, pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The U.S. Department of Justice said following the mass shooting where Shamar Elkins killed seven of his children and another child, Shreveport police began investigating a firearms trace on the rifle. The original purchaser said they sold it to Ford.

Ford initially lied to ATF agents about possessing the firearm, saying he never did, officials said. Ford later admitted to having the firearm, saying he kept it under his seat before saying he believed Elkins took possession of the gun.

Ford was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison.