SHREVEPORT, La. – A 31-year-old Army veteran went on a murderous rampage early Sunday, shooting dead eight children – seven of them his own – and wounding two women before being killed by police in a carjacking chase that spanned multiple crime scenes. The victims, ranging in age from 1 to 14, were found in three separate homes, with one child discovered dead on a roof after apparently trying to escape.
Shreveport Police Department spokesman Christopher Bordelon described the scenes as “extensive” and “incredibly gruesome in nature.” The massacre began around 6 a.m. Sunday following a domestic dispute. The shooter, identified as Shamar Elkins, a 31-year-old U.S. Army veteran, then drove to at least three residences in Shreveport, systematically shooting the children and two women.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said at a press conference.
Seven of the slain children were Elkins’ own. The eighth was a niece or nephew. Most of the victims were shot in the head while they slept, Bordelon confirmed. One child was found dead on the roof of a home, shot while trying to flee.
The Victims: Eight Young Lives Cut Short
The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the eight children:
| Name | Age |
|---|---|
| Jayla Elkins | 3 |
| Shayla Elkins | 5 |
| Kayla Pugh | 6 |
| Layla Pugh | 7 |
| Markaydon Pugh | 10 |
| Sariahh Snow | 11 |
| Khedarrion Snow | 6 |
| Braylon Snow | 5 |
All eight were killed by gunshot wounds. Autopsies are pending. Two women were also shot – one in the head, suffering life‑threatening injuries. The other woman’s condition has not been released. At least one of the women was believed to have been in a relationship with Elkins.
The Crime Scenes: A Trail of Horror
Elkins began his rampage after an argument with his wife, according to police. He then traveled to multiple locations:
- First scene: A home on West 79th Street where most of the children were found.
- Second scene: Another home on the same street.
- Third scene: A home on a nearby street.
After the shootings, Elkins carjacked a vehicle near the corner of West 79th Street and Linwood Avenue. Shreveport police officers pursued him into neighboring Bossier City, where Elkins had a connection to a home. There, he was killed in an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement. No officers were injured.
“The individual responsible, once leaving this scene, performed a carjacking right here in close proximity to the corner of West 79th and Linwood, at which point in time, Shreveport police patrol officers got behind that vehicle in a chase incident,” Bordelon said.
The Shooter: Shamar Elkins, an Army Veteran
Elkins was a U.S. Army veteran. His military record has not been fully released, but neighbors described him as having “anger issues” and a history of domestic volatility. On Easter Sunday, just two weeks before the massacre, Elkins posted a photo of eight children on Facebook with the caption “all my kids,” showing them dressed for church. Hours before the shooting, he shared another post featuring one of his daughters.
Neighbors told local media they frequently heard arguments from his home. One neighbor said, “He was always screaming at someone. We heard a lot of arguing from that house. But nobody thought he would ever hurt the kids.”
Familicide and Veteran Mental Health: A Deadly Intersection
The murder of one’s own children – known as familicide – is a rare but catastrophic event. According to the U.S. Department of Justice:
- Approximately 150–200 familicide cases occur in the United States each year.
- In 90% of cases, the perpetrator is male.
- Common motives include domestic conflict, separation, financial stress, and severe mental illness (including PTSD, depression, and psychotic breaks).
Veterans are overrepresented in familicide statistics. A 2023 study by the University of Southern California found that 15% of familicide perpetrators had prior military service – roughly twice their proportion of the general adult population. Risk factors include combat exposure, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, and difficulty reintegrating into civilian family life.
“When a veteran with untreated PTSD or other mental health conditions faces a domestic crisis, the risk of catastrophic violence – including against children – rises dramatically,” said Dr. Rachel Sullivan, a forensic psychologist who has studied military‑related familicide. “We need to do a much better job of screening and supporting veterans in crisis.”
Louisiana’s Gun Laws and Red Flag Gaps
Louisiana has some of the most permissive gun laws in the United States. The state does not require a permit to purchase a firearm, does not require a license to carry a concealed weapon (permitless carry became law in 2024), and has no extreme risk protection order (“red flag”) law that would allow family members or police to temporarily remove firearms from an individual deemed dangerous.
Elkins legally owned multiple firearms, including the handgun used in the massacre. Neighbors said they had called police on previous occasions due to loud arguments, but no domestic violence protective order had been filed.
“A red flag law might have saved those children,” said Sarah Finnegan, a policy analyst with the Giffords Law Center. “When a family sees a veteran spiraling, they need a tool to get the guns out of the house before it’s too late.”
Louisiana lawmakers have repeatedly rejected red‑flag legislation, citing Second Amendment concerns.
National Context: Mass Shootings and Child Victims
Sunday’s massacre is the deadliest mass shooting involving children in the U.S. since the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, which killed 19 children and two teachers. It is also the largest case of familicide in recent memory.
According to the Gun Violence Archive:
- In 2025, there were 692 mass shootings (four or more victims) nationwide.
- Of those, 48 involved children as the primary victims.
- The majority of child‑victim mass shootings occur in domestic settings, not in schools.
Community and Official Response
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the shooting as one of the worst tragedies in the city’s history.
“This is a tragic situation – maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had. It’s a terrible morning, and we all mourn for the victims.”
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said he and his wife were heartbroken:
“We’re praying for everyone affected. We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene.”
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was born in Shreveport and represents the city in Congress, also spoke out:
“Heartbreaking tragedy in Shreveport this morning – 8 children were senselessly killed and multiple others were injured. My team is in touch with local law enforcement as more details emerge. We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers.”
A makeshift memorial of stuffed animals, candles, and balloons has appeared outside the main crime scene on West 79th Street.
What Happens Next
- Investigation: The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Shreveport PD, and Louisiana State Police are leading the investigation. Autopsies will determine the exact cause of death for each child.
- Police shooting review: The officer‑involved shooting of Elkins will be reviewed by the Louisiana State Police and the district attorney’s office.
- Family support: The surviving women are receiving medical care. Child welfare services have been activated to assist any surviving children (none have been reported, but relatives may need support).
- Community vigils: Multiple vigils are being planned in Shreveport over the coming week.
FAQ: Shreveport Mass Shooting
Q: How many children were killed?
A: Eight children, ages 1 to 14. Seven were the shooter’s biological children; one was a niece or nephew.
Q: How were they killed?
A: Most were shot in the head while sleeping. One child was killed on the roof while trying to escape.
Q: Who was the shooter?
A: Shamar Elkins, 31, an Army veteran. He was killed by police after a carjacking and pursuit.
Q: Did he have a military history?
A: Yes, he served in the U.S. Army. Details of his service and discharge status have not yet been released.
Q: Were there warning signs?
A: Neighbors reported frequent arguments, but no formal domestic violence protective orders had been filed. Elkins posted a happy photo of his children just two weeks before the massacre.
Q: What charges would he have faced?
A: Eight counts of first‑degree murder, aggravated assault, and domestic violence charges. He was killed before any arrest could be made.
Q: Where can I get help if I am in a domestic violence situation?
A: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1‑800‑799‑7233 or text “START” to 88788. Veterans in crisis can call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.
