On Sunday (April 19), in the early hours of the morning, a horrifying case of domestic violence shooting occurred in Shreveport, Louisiana, United States. A 31-year-old man named Shamar Elkins is suspected of opening fire at multiple locations, killing 8 children, including 7 of his own offspring. The incident also resulted in injuries to 2 women and 1 teenager.
After committing the crime, the suspect fled in a car and was ultimately shot dead in a confrontation with the police. Authorities stated that the suspect had a prior record relating to firearms but no history of violent crimes.
According to the Caddo Parish coroner’s office in Louisiana, the 8 deceased children were between the ages of 3 and 11, with 3 boys and 5 girls. Seven of them were Elkins’ children, and one was their cousin.
The victims were identified as follows: Jayla Elkins, 3 years old; Shayla Elkins, 5 years old; Kayla Pugh, 6 years old; Layla Pugh, 7 years old; Markaydon Pugh, 10 years old; Sariahh Snow, 11 years old; Khedarrion Snow, 6 years old; and Braylon Snow, 5 years old.
Earlier, the police had initially stated that the victims ranged in age from 1 to 14 years old.
The main crime scene was at a residence on West 79th Street. According to the police and eyewitnesses, the situation was extremely chaotic at the time of the incident, with some children attempting to escape. One child was found dead on the roof.
State Representative Tammy Phelps mentioned that some children had tried to escape through the back door. She said during a press conference, “I cannot even imagine what the police and first responders faced when they arrived today.”
Chris Bordelon, the spokesperson for the Shreveport Police Department, stated that a 13-year-old boy was injured after jumping off the roof. Although the boy had “multiple fractures,” he is expected to recover.
Two women were also shot and in critical condition, including the suspect’s wife.
Bordelon mentioned that Elkins’ wife (the mother of the deceased children) was shot first and her injuries were “extremely severe.” Elkins then proceeded to another residence where he shot and killed 8 children and critically wounded another woman. He added that this woman is the mother of the eighth deceased child and her injuries are “life-threatening.”
Their testimonies, if they recover, may be crucial in understanding Elkins’ motives.
Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said to the media, “I don’t know what to say, I’m very shocked. I can’t imagine how something like this could happen.”
Mayor Tom Arceneaux also expressed his sorrow, stating, “This is a tragedy—perhaps the worst tragedy in our history. It’s a terrible morning.”
Investigations revealed that Elkins had served in the Louisiana National Guard from 2013 to 2020 as a Signals Support and Fire Support Specialist, with no record of overseas deployment, retiring as a Private Second Class.
In the early hours of Sunday, he shot his wife on Harrison Street before proceeding to the residence on West 79th Street to commit the heinous act.
After the crime, Elkins forcibly took a civilian’s vehicle at gunpoint to escape, leading to a large-scale pursuit by the police. The chase crossed county lines into Bossier Parish, where the suspect was eventually shot dead in a standoff with the police, with no officers injured at the scene.
Louisiana State Police have taken over the investigation of the officer-involved shooting, while the Shreveport Police continue to unravel the motives behind the tragedy.
A relative of one of the injured women, Crystal Brown, told the Associated Press that Elkins and his wife were in the process of separation, scheduled to appear in court on Monday (April 20). Brown mentioned that before the shooting, the couple had arguments over their separation.
“He killed his kids,” Brown said. “He shot his wife.”
She further revealed that Elkins and his wife had 4 children together and he had 3 children with another woman living nearby, who also got shot during the incident.
Police noted that Elkins was arrested in 2019 in connection with a firearms case when a man pulled a gun on him in a car, leading Elkins to retaliate by firing five shots at the vehicle.
This tragedy has not only shaken the local community but also garnered attention nationwide. Councilman Grayson Boucher highlighted that this single event has doubled the murder count in the city, warning, “Over 30% of the crime and 30% of the homicides in our city involve domestic violence… things will only get worse until we break this cycle of violence.”
State Senator Sam L. Jenkins, Jr. expressed concerns about the current domestic violence tracking mechanisms. He mentioned that community members had previously raised concerns about the suspect and said, “I am very concerned that perhaps we are not tracking individuals with a history of domestic violence closely enough or providing them with sufficient therapy.”
Federal House Speaker Mike Johnson and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry have both issued statements expressing condolences and prayers for the victims’ families.