Shreveport, Louisiana — A devastating act of violence in Shreveport, Louisiana, has left a community in shock after eight children were killed and multiple people injured in a shooting that unfolded early Sunday morning across multiple locations. Authorities say the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, later died following the incident. The tragedy is still under active investigation.
According to Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith, the violence began just before 6 a.m. on Harrison Street when a woman called emergency dispatch, reporting that her boyfriend had shot her, taken her children, and fled the scene. That call marked the beginning of what would become one of the most disturbing incidents the area has seen in recent years.
Among the survivors is Christina Snow, a mother who lost her three children in the attack. Family members say she remains hospitalized with a bullet still lodged in her face. Her cousin, Jamarckus Snow, shared that doctors have chosen not to remove the bullet due to the high risk involved. Despite her condition, she is able to speak, but is experiencing memory loss.
At times, Snow reportedly does not remember the tragedy. According to her family, she has moments where she believes her children are still alive, even asking about getting them ready for school. These heartbreaking memory lapses have added another layer of emotional trauma to an already unimaginable loss.
Family members describe Christina Snow as a devoted mother whose life revolved around her children. “All she worked for was her kids, and all she talked about was her kids,” her cousin said, describing the deep bond she shared with them.
Authorities confirmed that the victims included eight children: 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). Most of the children were found at a home on West 79th Street, where police believe several were asleep when they were shot.
Another woman, Shaneiqua Pugh, who is believed to be Elkins’ wife, was also shot in the face and remains in critical condition. In addition, a teenager suffered injuries after falling from a roof during the chaos.
Investigators say Elkins moved between multiple locations during the shooting. After the initial attack, he reportedly went to a nearby home where the majority of the victims were found. Authorities noted that the suspect later carjacked a person at gunpoint before his death, though it remains unclear whether he died by suicide or was shot by law enforcement.
Law enforcement sources also revealed that Elkins had a prior criminal record, including a 2019 conviction for illegal use of a firearm, which likely prohibited him from legally owning a gun. On Tuesday, federal authorities arrested another individual in connection with the firearm used in the attack.
Family members and officials say Elkins had recently sought mental health treatment at a local Veterans Affairs medical center, where he reportedly stayed for over a week. However, what exactly led up to the shooting remains unclear.
Neighbors described the incident as completely out of character for the area. Residents said the neighborhood had never experienced anything like this before, and many recalled seeing the children playing outside just days earlier. The sudden violence has left the community struggling to process the loss.
Officials continue to investigate the timeline, motive, and circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities have not yet released full details, but confirmed that updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on supporting the victims, their families, and a community now dealing with grief, shock, and unanswered questions.
