Authorities say the actions of Shamar Elkins have left a community in shock, as more details continue to emerge about what happened inside a home in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Police were called early Sunday morning after a 911 report of a domestic disturbance. What first responders encountered, officials said, was unlike anything they had experienced before.
According to Shreveport police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon, eight children were found dead inside the home—seven of them the suspect’s own children and one a cousin. Investigators said most of the victims had been shot while they were sleeping, while others appeared to have been killed as they tried to escape.
The victims—three boys and five girls—ranged in age from 3 to 11, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office. Their names were later identified by family members 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.
Two women were also shot and seriously injured, including the suspect’s wife. Authorities believe the second injured woman may have been his girlfriend.
As investigators began reconstructing the timeline, additional details painted a clearer picture of how the violence unfolded across multiple locations. Officials said the suspect is believed to have taken some of the children from one residence to another before the killings occurred, suggesting the events were not confined to a single scene.
Police also confirmed that two firearms were recovered—an assault-style pistol and a handgun—though ballistics testing is ongoing to determine how each weapon was used.
After the shootings, authorities say the suspect fled the scene, carjacked a vehicle, and led police on a pursuit that extended beyond Shreveport. The chase ended when he was fatally shot. Officials have not yet confirmed whether he died from police gunfire or from a self-inflicted wound.
As the investigation continues, attention has also turned to the suspect’s background and reported mental state in the weeks leading up to the tragedy.
Family members told The New York Times that he had expressed distress and described himself as struggling with “dark thoughts.” In one recent social media post, he had written a prayer asking for help in controlling his thoughts and emotions, a message that, in hindsight, has taken on a more troubling tone.
Before the incident, he had worked for UPS and previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020 as a signal support systems specialist and fire support specialist.
Despite the emerging details, officials caution that understanding motive may remain difficult.
Bordelon, who has worked in law enforcement for years, acknowledged the limits of explanation in cases like this. He noted that while investigators will continue to gather evidence and piece together the sequence of events, some acts of violence defy clear reasoning.
The impact of the tragedy has extended far beyond the crime scene. Community members, first responders, and families are now grappling with a loss that has been described by local officials as one of the most devastating events the city has ever faced.
As the investigation moves forward, the focus remains on supporting the victims’ families, understanding what happened, and addressing the broader questions that follow such an unthinkable act.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or emotional distress, reaching out to a mental health professional or crisis support service can be an important first step.
