A man identified as Shamar Elkins killed eight children—seven of his own and one cousin—early Sunday in Shreveport, Louisiana, according to police. The shooting stemmed from a domestic dispute and ended with the suspect’s death following a police chase.
Officials said the children, ranging in age from 3 to 11, were killed in what authorities described as an “execution-style” attack across two residences. Five girls and three boys were among the victims. Their names and ages, confirmed by the coroner’s office and identified by the mothers, are Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5. Ten people in total were shot, including two adult women who were hospitalized and expected to survive, one of whom was the suspect’s wife.
The shooting began around 5 a.m. when Elkins shot a woman in the face. He then traveled to a nearby residence where the children were attacked. Police said some children attempted to escape by crawling through windows and climbing onto the roof, where at least one child was found dead. A 13-year-old injured by jumping off the roof also survived.
After the shooting, Elkins carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint and led police on a chase that ended in Bossier Parish, neighboring Shreveport. Law enforcement officials said Elkins was fatally shot by officers during the pursuit. Multiple weapons were recovered at the scene, including a handgun at the residence and a rifle-style handgun on the suspect.
Shamar Elkins had a prior guilty plea for a weapons charge in 2019 and served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020 as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist.
Why it matters
This mass shooting is the deadliest in the United States in over two years and highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence-related homicides. Over 30% of crimes and murders in Shreveport are linked to domestic disputes, a local councilman noted, with this incident doubling the city’s homicide count.
Background
The suspect and his wife were reportedly in the midst of a separation and had a court date scheduled for Monday. Police said the shooting was a targeted, deliberate act against family members. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the event and the suspect’s death at the hands of law enforcement.
Community leaders and politicians, including Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Senator Bill Cassidy, have expressed their condolences and are monitoring the ongoing investigation. The White House is also tracking the situation.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith and Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the event as a devastating tragedy for the community, with law enforcement agencies collaborating to process evidence and understand the full scope of the case.
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