Key Facts About the Louisiana Shooting That Killed Eight Children

(SeaPRwire) –   Eight children lost their lives in a shooting involving two homes in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Sunday—an incident that ranks as the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since January 2024.

Seven of the victims were the suspected shooter’s children. Chris Bordelon, a spokesperson for the Shreveport Police Department, stated on Sunday that two women—including the gunman’s spouse—were also shot but survived and are receiving treatment for “serious injuries.” A 13-year-old boy reportedly jumped from the roof of one of the homes in an apparent attempt to escape the attack, and authorities say his injuries are not life-threatening.

The alleged shooter has been identified as Shamar Elkins. Bordelon reported that law enforcement officers fatally shot Elkins following a chase, and police do not believe there are any other suspects. While the motive remains under investigation, Bordelon described the incident as “domestic” in nature.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux told reporters during an early Sunday press conference, “This is a tragic situation—perhaps the most devastating one we’ve ever faced.” 

Per a database from The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University, Sunday’s mass shooting is the deadliest in the U.S. since a shooter killed eight people in a Chicago suburb in January 2024. The nonprofit Gun Violence Archive reports that as of 2026, there have been at least 114 mass shootings—defined by the organization as incidents where at least four victims are shot (either wounded or killed), excluding the shooter.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry shared a post on X expressing that he and his wife are “heartbroken” over the “horrific” event.

House Speaker Mike Johnson—who represents Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, which includes a portion of Shreveport—posted on X that he has spoken with Arceneaux and the law enforcement agencies conducting the ongoing investigation “to pledge any assistance we can possibly provide.”

Rep. Cleo Fields (D-La.), who represents Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District including the section of Shreveport where the shooting happened, said in a statement: “There are no words.”

Below is key information about the incident.

What happened?

Shreveport police responded to calls about a domestic dispute at the 300 block of West 79th Street shortly after 6 a.m. Early police details indicate the suspect first shot one woman at a Harrison Street residence, then traveled to West 79th Street where he shot the other victims.

According to NBC News, Bordelon said many of the children appeared to have been shot while asleep, with most hit in the head. “It is a repulsive and evil scene,” Bordelon added.

The suspect reportedly carjacked a man nearby. After locating the stolen vehicle, police chased him into the adjacent parish and opened fire. Bordelon noted that the suspect was armed with a “rifle-style pistol” when officers confronted and killed him, per NBC News.

The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office announced autopsies have been ordered for all victims, who were identified in a press release 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. Seven are siblings, and one is their cousin. 

Who was the shooter?

Per The New York Times, citing public records, Elkins (31) has prior convictions in at least two cases: a 2019 firearms offense where a man in a car pointed a gun at him and he fired back, and a 2016 charge of driving under the influence.

In a statement to the media, the Army noted Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for seven years until August 2020, though he was never deployed. His roles included signal support system specialist and fire support specialist.

The Associated Press, citing Crystal Brown (a cousin of one of the wounded women), reported Elkins and his wife were going through a separation and had argued about it before the shooting. Brown told the AP Elkins shared four children with his wife and three with another nearby woman, and the couple was due in court Monday.

Elkins’ relatives told the Times he had recently struggled with mental health and his relationship with his wife.

The Times reported that earlier this month on Easter Sunday, Elkins called his mother Mahelia and stepfather Marcus Jackson. The pair told the Times their son sounded despondent and tearfully said he wanted to take his own life, overwhelmed by “dark thoughts” as his wife sought a divorce. 

“I told him, ‘You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it,’” Jackson said. “Then I remember him telling me: ‘Some people don’t come back from their demons.’”