Authorities say Shamar Elkins, a 31-year-old Louisiana National Guard veteran, carried out the mass shooting that killed seven of his own children and their cousin in Shreveport after a domestic dispute, before carjacking a vehicle and leading police on a chase. Officials say Elkins later killed himself in the driveway of his former Army mentor’s home, as investigators continue probing how he obtained the firearm despite a prior felony conviction.
BREAKING: The 8 victims tragically killed in the Louisiana mass shooting have been identified. 7 of the children were the alleged gunman’s own children. Jayla Elkins, 3 Shayla Elkins, 5 Braylon Snow, 5 Kayla Pugh, 6 Khedarrion Snow 6 Layla Pugh, 7 Markaydon Pugh, 10 Sariahh Snow, 11
BREAKING: The 8 victims tragically killed in the Louisiana mass shooting have been identified. 7 of the children were the alleged gunman’s own children.
Jayla Elkins, 3
Shayla Elkins, 5
Braylon Snow, 5
Kayla Pugh, 6
Khedarrion Snow 6
Layla Pugh, 7
Markaydon Pugh, 10
Sariahh… pic.twitter.com/SRezNGhjhz— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 20, 2026
ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE! The gunman who k*lled 8 children & injured 2 others in Shreveport, Louisiana has been identified as Shamar Elkins. Police say Elkins shot up 2 houses early Sunday killed 7 of his own children and wounded their mother, as well as k*lling another child. He shot the mother first. The victims ranged in age from 1 to about 12 years old. The mother & another woman are in critical condition. Elkins died after a police pursuit. The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office identified the eight children killed in the incident as 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, according to KSLA.
8 Children between 1-14 years old killed in Domestic Mass Shooting by their own Father Shamar Elkins in Shreveport Early Sunday morning around 6 a.m. in Shreveports Cedar Grove neighborhood, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins opened fire at two or three related homes during a domestic disturbance. He killed eight children ages 1 to 14, most or all of whom were his own children or descendants, with one reported as a cousin. Two adult women were wounded, one believed to be his ex-partner. The incident appears to be a family annihilation triggered by a recent separation or ongoing domestic issues. Elkins fled the scene, carjacked a vehicle, and was pursued into Bossier City, where police shot and killed him.
Say a prayer for this family.. 🙏
🚨8 Children between 1-14 years old killed in Domestic Mass Shooting by their own Father Shamar Elkins in Shreveport
Early Sunday morning around 6 a.m. in Shreveports Cedar Grove neighborhood, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins opened fire at two or… pic.twitter.com/dBXqVduTEn
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) April 19, 2026
