Highlights
- Eight children aged 3 to 11 were killed in a domestic shooting in Shreveport.
- The gunman, Shamar Elkins, killed seven of his own children.
- Two women were critically injured during the incident.
- Police say the case is a domestic violence situation under investigation.
- The shooting is the deadliest US mass killing in over two years.
Authorities in Louisiana have identified eight children who were killed in a violent domestic incident in the city of Shreveport. The victims were between the ages of three and 11. The shooting happened on Sunday and is considered the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in more than two years.
The victims were identified 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.
Police said the gunman, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, shot and killed the children at two different houses in Shreveport. Seven of the children were his own. After the shootings, he fled in a stolen car. Police chased him and later shot him dead.
In total, 11 people were shot during the incident. Two adult women were injured and are in critical condition. One of them is Shaneiqua Pugh, Elkins’s wife and the mother of four of his children. The second woman is reported to be the mother of his other three children.
Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon said Elkins first shot one of the women and then killed the children. The couple had reportedly been arguing about their separation and were scheduled to appear in court the next day.
Authorities said the case appears to be entirely domestic, although investigations are still ongoing. Louisiana State Police have taken over the investigation into the police shooting of Elkins. They confirmed that no officers were injured.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said he was shocked by the tragedy and that officers would continue working to understand what happened. He said, “My heart is just taken aback,” and added that he could not imagine how such an event could occur.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the incident as possibly the worst tragedy the city has experienced in recent memory.
The shooting is the deadliest mass killing in the US since January 2024, when eight people were killed in a suburb of Chicago, according to national databases.
Police said Elkins had a history of legal issues, including a 2019 firearms case. However, they were not aware of any previous domestic violence reports involving him.
Reports suggest Elkins had been struggling with mental health problems. He had previously told family members that he was stressed about his relationship and had “dark thoughts.” On April 5, he reportedly called his mother and stepfather, crying and saying he wanted to take his own life. He also said his wife wanted a divorce.
Family members said they had recently felt uneasy about him, although he had shared a prayer on social media and sent them a photo of his family. In the days before the shooting, communication with him became limited.
People who knew him described him as a devoted father but said he often appeared stressed. A colleague said he would sometimes pull his hair out, leaving a bald spot.
Relatives said he had been deeply upset about the possible end of his marriage. One family member said he seemed like he was “losing his mind” after arguments about divorce.
This type of crime is sometimes described as a “family annihilation,” where a person kills multiple family members. Such incidents have been reported across the US over the years.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, this was the seventh mass killing in the US in 2026. The organization defines a mass killing as an event where four or more people are killed. It also reported at least 114 mass shootings so far this year.
Louisiana has been ranked low in access to mental health care. A 2024 state health report identified intimate partner violence as a major public health issue. Experts say the period when someone leaves a relationship can be especially dangerous.
Mass shootings continue to raise concerns across the U.S., with many calling for stronger gun control laws. However, lawmakers have not reached an agreement on major changes.
