8 kids massacred by deranged Army vet Shamar Elkins in Louisiana shooting ID’d

The tragic incident that unfolded in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 19, 2026, has left the community reeling. Eight young children, five girls and three boys, were senselessly gunned down by their own father and uncle, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, in a horrifying act of domestic violence.

The victims have been identified 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. These innocent children were found lifeless inside their home, where Elkins carried out his rampage following an argument with his wife early that morning.

Shamar Elkins, an Army veteran, was not only the father of seven of the children but also the uncle of the eighth victim. The details of which child was the cousin remain unclear. The tragic incident unfolded as most of the victims were shot in the head while they slept, with one child tragically losing their life while attempting to escape on the roof.

During the violent spree, Elkins also wounded two women, believed to be the mothers of the children. His wife was shot in the face at the scene of the massacre, while the other injured woman, presumed to be his girlfriend, was shot in a separate nearby house. The killer father was later fatally shot by police during an attempted carjacking.

The heartbreaking nature of the crime is further compounded by the fact that Elkins and his wife were in the midst of separation proceedings, scheduled for court the following day. The argument that led to the fatal shooting spree was reportedly related to their relationship issues.

Described as “happy kids, very friendly, very sweet” by one of the surviving women’s cousins, the slain children were cherished by their families. Elkins himself shared moments of joy with his children on social media, posting pictures of quality time spent with them, including a lunch date with his eldest daughter and a family outing to church on Easter.

As the community mourns the loss of these young lives and prays for the recovery of the two injured mothers, the tragic events of that fateful day serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless act of violence.