The details emerging from Shreveport, Louisiana, describe a sequence of events that unfolded with brutal speed and left an entire family shattered.
Authorities say eight children—ranging in age from just 3 to 11—were killed early Sunday morning after 31-year-old Shamar Elkins began shooting inside a home following an argument with his wife. The victims have now been identified by their mothers through the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office: 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.
Elkins was the father of seven of the children and the uncle of the eighth. Investigators have not clarified which child was his niece or nephew.
According to police, most of the children were shot in the head while they were asleep. One child was killed on the roof after trying to escape. The attack extended beyond the home. Two women—identified as the mothers of the children—were also shot. One, Elkins’ wife, was critically wounded inside the house. The second woman, believed to be his girlfriend, was shot at a nearby residence. Both remain in critical condition.
The timeline points to a domestic dispute that escalated without interruption. Family members told the Associated Press that Elkins and his wife were in the middle of separation proceedings and were scheduled to appear in court the following day. The argument that morning centered on their relationship, according to relatives, before turning violent.
In the hours before the shootings, Elkins’ social media activity showed no visible sign of what was about to happen. He posted a photo describing a one-on-one outing with his eldest daughter, Sariahh. A separate post from Easter showed him with all seven of his children outside a church, noting it was his first time attending Mass with all of them together.
After the shootings, police say Elkins fled and later attempted a carjacking. Officers confronted and killed him during that encounter, bringing an end to the immediate threat.
Family members described the children in simple, consistent terms—friendly, close, and full of energy. Those descriptions now stand in stark contrast to the scale of what occurred inside the home. The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the full sequence of events.
