Army Veteran Shamar Elkins Executed 7 of His Own Children in Shreveport Rampage — 8 Kids Dead in One of America’s Deadliest Recent Shootings.

In the pre-dawn hours of April 19, 2026, the Cedar Grove neighborhood in Shreveport, Louisiana, was shattered by a horrific domestic violence rampage that left eight children dead — seven of them the biological children of the shooter himself. Thirty-one-year-old Shamar Elkins, a U.S. Army veteran, carried out the attack across at least two homes before fleeing in a carjacked vehicle, only to be shot dead by police during a chase into neighboring Bossier City.

The tragedy began around 6 a.m. when Elkins first entered one residence and shot the mother of four of his children, leaving her with life-threatening injuries. He then moved to a second home nearby, where he opened fire on the children in what authorities described as execution-style shootings. The victims, all juveniles, ranged in age from 3 to 11 years old. Their names, released by the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office, are: 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 of the slain children were Elkins’ own — four with his wife Shaneiqua Pugh and three with another woman who also lived in the area and was critically wounded in the attack. The eighth child was a cousin. In total, at least eleven people were shot during the spree that spanned multiple locations in the neighborhood. A 13-year-old managed to escape the horror by climbing onto a roof and jumping to safety, sustaining injuries in the process.

After the shootings, Elkins carjacked a vehicle and led police on a pursuit. Officers confronted him in Bossier City, where a shootout occurred and Elkins was pronounced dead at the scene. It remains unclear whether police or another factor delivered the fatal shot.

Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Chris Bordelon described the crime scene as “extensive,” noting the challenges of processing multiple locations. Mayor Tom Arceneaux called it possibly the worst tragedy the city had ever witnessed, offering condolences to the devastated families.

Family members later revealed that Elkins had been battling severe mental health issues and had recently expressed “dark thoughts” and suicidal ideation. In one conversation with his mother and stepfather, he reportedly said his wife wanted a divorce and that he was overwhelmed. He had served seven years in the Louisiana Army National Guard as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist before leaving in 2020. Records also show a 2019 arrest for illegal use of a weapon on school property.

The attack has left two mothers — including Elkins’ wife — fighting for their lives in hospital. The surviving 13-year-old is receiving trauma support. Community leaders and the Shreveport City Council held emergency meetings to coordinate aid for the grieving families and discuss broader prevention efforts.

This incident stands as one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in more than two years, notable not only for the number of child victims but because the perpetrator was the father of most of those killed. Domestic violence experts point out that such familicides, while rare, frequently involve a toxic mix of untreated mental health crises, relationship breakdowns, financial stress, and easy access to firearms.

The Cedar Grove neighborhood, typically quiet, is now marked by unimaginable grief. Neighbors and friends gathered for vigils, struggling to comprehend how a man who had posted about his mental health struggles on social media could commit such an act. The children were described as bright, playful souls who should have been preparing for school and family Easter celebrations rather than becoming victims of their father’s rage.

The tragedy has reignited urgent national conversations about mental health intervention, domestic violence prevention, gun safety in homes with children, and the need for stronger support systems for veterans and families in crisis. Advocates are calling for improved screening, crisis response resources, and community awareness to recognize warning signs before they escalate into violence.

As investigators piece together the exact timeline, questions remain about missed opportunities for intervention. Elkins had no extensive prior violent criminal record that would have predicted this outcome, making the event even more shocking to those who knew him.

In the days since the shooting, the people of Shreveport have come together in solidarity. Prayer services, counseling resources, and fundraisers have been organized to help the surviving family members bury their children and begin the long process of healing. The two injured mothers continue to receive critical care, while the surviving child carries both the trauma of what he witnessed and the relief of having escaped.

Shamar Elkins’ final actions have left behind a community asking painful questions: How do we better support individuals drowning in mental health struggles? How can families and authorities intervene effectively when someone expresses dark thoughts? What systemic changes are needed to protect the most vulnerable — our children — from domestic violence turned deadly?

While nothing can bring back the eight innocent lives lost — Jayla, Shayla, Kayla, Layla, Markaydon, Sariahh, Khedarrion, and Braylon — their names will serve as a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of life and the urgent need for compassion, early intervention, and meaningful reform.

The Shreveport community, though broken, is choosing to stand together. They honor the short but precious lives of the children through shared memories, tears, and a collective vow to do better. In the shadow of this unimaginable loss, the call for change grows louder — for better mental health care, stronger domestic violence prevention, and a society that refuses to look away when families cry for help.