SHREVEPORT, La. – The 31-year-old Army veteran who shot and killed eight children – seven of his own – was scheduled to face his estranged wife in divorce court on the Monday following the massacre, according to family members. In the weeks before the slaughter, Shamar Elkins had told his mother he was drowning in “dark thoughts,” wanted to kill himself, and chillingly warned that “some people don’t come back from their demons.”
The divorce hearing, which never took place, was to address the couple’s separation after his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, filed for divorce. Elkins had also posted disturbing messages on Facebook, including a cryptic question asking other fathers if they would “go back and have kids with a different woman” and a prayer asking God to help him “guard my mind and my emotions.”
“Dads, if you could go back in time and have kids with a different woman but still have the same kids, would you do it?” Elkins wrote on Facebook a month before the massacre.
On April 9, just 10 days before the shooting, he posted a prayer: “Dear God, Today I ask You to help me guard my mind and my emotions. When negativity arises, remind me to say, ‘It does not belong to me,’ in the name of Jesus.”
The rampage early Sunday morning left eight children dead – ranging in age from 3 to 11 – and two women critically wounded. Elkins was killed by police after a carjacking and chase.
The Divorce: A Trigger Point
According to the New York Times, Elkins called his mother, Mahelia Elkins, and stepfather, Marcus Jackson, on Easter Sunday – just two weeks before the massacre – to tell them that his wife had filed for divorce. He also expressed suicidal thoughts.
“I told him, ‘You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it,’” Jackson recalled. “Then I remember him telling me: ‘Some people don’t come back from their demons.’”
The couple had been married for about two years, though Elkins had children from previous relationships. A relative of one of the wounded women told the Associated Press that the couple was in the middle of separation proceedings and was due in court on Monday – the day after the shooting.
Elkins’ wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, 34, was shot multiple times in the head and stomach and remains hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. The other wounded woman, Christina Snow, believed to be Elkins’ girlfriend, was shot in the head and also critically injured. Snow is the mother of some of the slain children.
A History of Violence and Mental Distress
Elkins had two prior criminal convictions: driving while intoxicated in 2016 and illegal use of weapons in 2019. In the 2019 incident, he pulled a 9mm handgun from his waistband and fired five shots at a vehicle after the driver pulled a gun on him. One of his bullets was discovered near a schoolyard where children were playing.
He served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020 as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist but was never deployed. A UPS coworker described him as a devoted father who often seemed stressed and would pull his hair out, creating a permanent bald spot.
The Facebook posts reveal a man in crisis, seeking divine intervention for his “mind and emotions” and openly fantasizing about having children with a different partner while keeping the same kids – a disturbing indication of his resentment toward his wife.
The Massacre: A Pre‑Dawn Rampage
Around 6 a.m. Sunday, following an argument with his wife, Elkins first shot Pugh at a residence on Harrison Street. He then drove to a home on West 79th Street, where he systematically shot eight children and Snow. Most of the children were shot in the head while they slept. One child was found dead on the roof after trying to escape.
The victims were identified as:
| Name | Age | Relationship to Shooter |
|---|---|---|
| Jayla Elkins | 3 | Daughter |
| Shayla Elkins | 5 | Daughter |
| Kayla Pugh | 6 | Daughter |
| Layla Pugh | 7 | Daughter |
| Markaydon Pugh | 10 | Son |
| Sariahh Snow | 11 | Daughter |
| Khedarrion Snow | 6 | Son |
| Braylon Snow | 5 | Son |
Seven of the eight were Elkins’ biological children; the eighth, Braylon Snow, was his nephew. A 13‑year‑old boy who jumped off the roof to escape survived with broken bones.
After the shootings, Elkins carjacked a vehicle and led police on a chase into Bossier Parish, where officers shot and killed him.
Domestic Violence and Divorce: A Deadly Combination
The case highlights a well-documented risk factor: the period surrounding separation and divorce is one of the most dangerous times for victims of domestic violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) :
- Women are most at risk of intimate partner homicide when they leave the relationship or attempt to leave.
- The presence of a firearm increases the risk of intimate partner homicide by 500% .
- Approximately 1 in 3 female homicide victims are killed by a current or former intimate partner.
Louisiana has one of the highest rates of domestic violence homicide in the nation, ranking in the top five states per capita. The state also has no red‑flag law that would allow family members or police to temporarily remove firearms from an individual deemed dangerous.
“Divorce is a known trigger for violence, especially when the perpetrator has a history of substance abuse, mental health issues, and access to firearms,” said Dr. Rachel Sullivan, a forensic psychologist. “The system failed to see the danger.”
The Aftermath: A Community in Mourning
A candlelight vigil was held Sunday evening in Shreveport, where community members laid flowers and stuffed animals in tribute to the children. City Councilmember Tabatha Taylor broke down in tears at a news conference.
“This is not a freaking joke! This is real, and this is the result when someone snaps,” she said.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued a statement: “We’re praying for everyone affected. We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene.”
The eight children’s deaths more than double the number of homicides in Shreveport and Caddo Parish this year, according to the coroner’s office.
What Happens Next
- Investigation continues: The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, Shreveport PD, and Louisiana State Police are leading the investigation.
- Survivors’ recovery: Shaneiqua Pugh and Christina Snow remain hospitalized. Their conditions are critical.
- Custody of surviving children: A 13‑year‑old boy who escaped is in the care of relatives.
- Mental health review: The case has renewed calls for better mental health screening for veterans and for red‑flag laws in Louisiana.
FAQ: Shreveport Massacre – Motive and Warning Signs
Q: Why did Shamar Elkins kill his children?
A: Authorities believe the massacre was triggered by his impending divorce and his inability to cope with the separation. He had expressed suicidal thoughts and resentment toward his wife.
Q: Did he leave any warnings?
A: Yes. He told his stepfather, “Some people don’t come back from their demons.” He also posted disturbing Facebook messages about mental health and having children with a different woman.
Q: What was his criminal history?
A: He had prior convictions for DWI (2016) and illegal use of weapons (2019), the latter involving firing a gun near a school.
Q: What is the condition of his wife?
A: Shaneiqua Pugh was shot multiple times in the head and stomach and is in critical condition. The other wounded woman, Christina Snow, was shot in the head and is also critical.
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.
