A father has killed seven of his children and a nephew in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, that police described as a domestic disturbance, in what officials are calling one of the worst tragedies the city has ever experienced.
The shooting began at approximately 5 a.m. on Sunday across multiple locations in the Cedar Grove district. The suspect, identified as Shamar Elkins, allegedly shot a woman before moving to a second location where he opened fire on the children. One child was able to flee to a nearby home and call authorities. After attacking the children, Elkins fled in a stolen vehicle. Officers pursued him into the neighbouring Bossier Parish, where he was shot and killed by police.
Two adult women, including the children’s mother, were left in critical condition. A ninth child was hospitalised after jumping from the roof of the home while attempting to escape.
The Caddo Parish coroner’s office identified the eight children killed 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. The victims were siblings and one cousin, ranging in age from three to 11, comprising three boys and five girls.
Family members told US media that Elkins had been facing a separation from his wife. His brother-in-law Troy Brown told the Washington Post that Elkins had become deeply distressed after his wife requested a divorce. “After the first argument about the divorce, he acted like he was losing his mind,” Brown said. Crystal Brown, a cousin of one of the wounded women, confirmed the couple had been separating and were due in court on Monday. “He murdered his children. He shot his wife,” she said.
Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Chris Bordelon confirmed at a Sunday press conference that Elkins is believed to be the only individual who fired shots across the locations involved. Officials have not yet indicated a formal motive.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux called it “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had in Shreveport.” He added: “We have hurting families, we have hurting police officers, coroners’ personnel. This affects the entire community, so we all mourn with these families.” Local councillor Grayson Boucher noted the city’s persistent struggle with domestic violence, saying the attack had more than doubled Shreveport’s homicide count in a single incident.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, the attack is the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since January 2024, when eight people were killed in Joliet, Illinois. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and US House Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents Louisiana’s Fourth District, both issued statements expressing condolences and calling the event a heartbreaking tragedy.
