8 Kids Killed in Louisiana Shooting

A man in Louisiana killed eight children Sunday, April 19th in a shooting that police said was a domestic violence incident, and the suspect was later killed by police after he ran away in a stolen vehicle. The suspect’s wife and a woman believed to be his girlfriend were also shot and injured in the shooting, which occurred at two homes in the early morning. The children killed were three boys and five girls, ages 3-11. 

Police identified Shamar Elkins as the shooter and he is the only suspect at this time. The children were identified as Jayla and Shayla Elkins,, Kayla, Layla, and Markaydon Pugh, and Sariahh, Khedarrion, and Braylon Snow. The gunman fled and carjacked a person at gunpoint near the intersection of Linwood Avenue and West 79th Street in Shreveport. Shreveport police officers responded to the 300 block of West 79th Street just after 6 a.m. The gunman first shot a woman before heading to the home where all of the children were.

Elkin’s wife was the mother of seven of the children, with the eighth being a family friend. Surprisingly, Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020 as a signal support system specialist and a fire support specialist, but was arrested in 2019 for illegal use of a firearm. Elkins had been expressing suicidal thoughts, and his family members say he has been struggling with mental health problems. All of Elkin’s family members apparently were checking up on him constantly through texts and calls. Elkins was also having problems with his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh. According to Elkins family members, Pugh had requested a divorce, which added to Elkins’ mental burden. Former UPS worker Willie Vasher, who worked with Elkins, said he seemed like the normal devoted father. The only thing that stood out to Vasher was that Elkins had a large bald spot from pulling out his hair when he got nervous or stressed. 

In the weeks before the shooting, Elkins’ mother and stepfather had expressed some concern for their son. Elkins had shared a bible verse on Facebook the month the concerns came, “Dear God, today I ask you to help me guard my mind and my emotions.” Elkins sent a photo of his family to his mother. The Tuesday before the shooting, his mother asked how they were doing, and Elkins replied, “Everyone is doing OK.” On Thursday, Elkin’s mother texted: “I love y’all. Give my grandson and my granddaughters a kiss from grandma. Thanks so much.” He never replied. On Sunday, Elkin’s mother entered Facebook to see people commenting on terrible things about Elkin’s Bible verse. After reading through all of them, Elkin’s mother found the headline she dreaded: Eight children dead, and two women injured in Louisiana shooting.

Elkin’s mother found the headline she dreaded: Eight children dead, and two women injured in Louisiana shooting. One of the two injured people has a serious head injury and they are both currently hospitalized. The police are currently unsure of whether Elkins died to his own injuries or a policeman’s bullet.