Shamar Elkins, 31, killed eight children, including seven of his own, in a Louisiana shooting.

Stress-riddled Army vet Shamar Elkins, 31, called his mom, Mahelia Elkins, and stepdad Marcus Jackson on Easter Sunday to tell them that his wife of two years, Shaneiqua Pugh, had filed for divorce — chillingly adding that he wanted to kill himself and was drowning in “dark thoughts,” the New York Times reported.

Elkins replied grimly, “Some people don’t come back from their demons,” Jackson recalled to the outlet.

Jackson said he told his despondent stepson that he could overcome problems if he stood tough.

Louisiana 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕥ing suspect was identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, who killed 8 children, including seven of his own. The children were aged between 3 and 11 years old.

According to the New York Times report, his family members stated Elkins had mental health issues and had opened up suicidal thoughts before the horrific killings.

He also turned his gun on Shaneiqua Pugh, who was hit several times in the head and stomach, and the woman believed to be his girlfriend, Christina Snow, who was 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕥 in the head. Kin identified Snow as the girlfriend,

Earlier, the police department released a statement on Facebook calling the 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕥ing as a “violent domestic incident.”

Authorities said that the alleged gunman was 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕥 and killed by law enforcement following a chase that commenced after he carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint.

Shamar Elkins and his spouse divorce proceedings

Shamar Elkins and his spouse were undergoing a separation. It is significant to note that this tragic event took place just one day prior to the scheduled court appearance for the couple’s separation proceedings.

The details were disclosed by Crystal Brown to the Sun Sentinel. Crystal is a cousin of one of the two women who were 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕥 by Shamar Elkins. She mentioned that the Elkins and Shaneiqua had been in conflict regarding their separation before the incident occurred.

Other family members of Shamar said that his wife sought a divorce, which he opposed. This discord may have contributed to his growing resentment towards his family, ultimately leading him to discharge his weapon at them.

According to the records, Elkins wed his spouse, 34-year-old Shaneiqua Pugh, approximately two years ago, CNN reported.

Elkins’ family informed the New York Times that he was experiencing stress regarding his marriage. He had reached out to his mother and stepfather, expressing that his wife was seeking a divorce and that he was overwhelmed by “dark thoughts,” the couple told The Times.

Social media footprint

He also had a history of alluding to mental-health struggles and marriage woes on Facebook.

“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,” Elkins wrote April 9.

A month earlier he wrote on the social network, “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?”

Shamar Elkins served in Louisiana Army National Guard

The New York Times disclosed that Elkins was a member of the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020, where he held the positions of signal support system specialist and fire support specialist. According to the report, he had not been deployed in combat and exited the service in 2020 with the rank of private.

US House Speaker Mike reacts to ‘heartbreaking’ 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕥ing
US House Speaker Mike Johnson, who serves the Shreveport region in Congress, described the tragic 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕠𝕥ing as “heartbreaking.”

“We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” Johnson stated.