Just weeks before carrying out one of the most horrific family massacres in recent American history, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins confessed to his family that he was drowning in “dark thoughts” and warned that some people “do not come back from their demons.”

On Easter Sunday, Elkins called his mother, Mahelia Elkins, and stepfather, Marcus Jackson, sounding deeply distressed. He told them he wanted to end his own life, revealed that his wife Shaneiqua Pugh (Elkins) was seeking a divorce, and expressed overwhelming despair. His stepfather tried to encourage him, saying, “You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it.” Elkins replied ominously: “Some people don’t come back from their demons,” according to interviews with The New York Times.

Tragically, those words proved prophetic. Early Sunday morning, April 19, 2026, around 6 a.m., Elkins went on a deadly shooting spree across at least two residences in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood following a heated argument with his wife about their failing relationship.

The 31-year-old U.S. Army veteran fatally shot eight children — seven of his own and one cousin — and critically wounded two women, believed to be his wife and girlfriend. He was later shot and killed by police after carjacking a vehicle and leading officers on a chase into neighboring Bossier Parish.

The victims, formally identified by their mothers through the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office, were:

Jayla Elkins, 3
Shayla Elkins, 5
Kayla Pugh, 6
Layla Pugh, 7
Markaydon Pugh, 10
Sariahh Snow, 11
Khedarrion Snow, 6
Braylon Snow, 5

The children ranged in age from 3 to 11. Most were shot in the head while sleeping. One child was killed on the roof while desperately trying to escape. A teenager reportedly jumped from the roof and survived with non-life-threatening injuries.

Shamar Elkins fathered seven of the slain children. He shared four with his wife Shaneiqua, whom he married in 2024, and three with another woman who was also shot and wounded. Both women remain in critical condition, with Shaneiqua reportedly shot in the face.

Crystal Brown, a relative of one of the surviving women, told the Associated Press that the couple was in the middle of separation proceedings and was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, April 20 — just one day after the tragedy. The fatal argument erupted over the dissolution of their relationship.

Elkins’ Background and Struggles

Elkins worked as a package handler for UPS. A coworker described him as a committed father who appeared deeply stressed in recent months, often pulling out his hair until he developed a noticeable bald spot.

He served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist. He held the rank of private when he left the service and was never deployed overseas.

Elkins had a prior criminal record: In 2019, he was arrested for illegally discharging a firearm near Caddo Magnet High School. He pleaded guilty to illegal use of a weapon and received 18 months of probation.

Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith expressed profound shock, saying he could not begin to imagine how such an event could occur. Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon described the crime scene as extensive and horrific, spanning multiple homes.

A Seemingly Normal Family on Social Media

In the hours before the massacre, Elkins posted on social media showing what appeared to be a loving family life. He shared a photo of himself on a “one-on-one date” with his eldest daughter Sariahh, describing her as his whole world. On Easter, he posted pictures with all seven of his children outside church.

Relatives and friends described the children as happy, friendly, and sweet. The community that once knew the Elkins family as well-respected is now left in mourning.

This tragedy marks the deadliest mass shooting involving children in the United States in more than two years and the seventh mass killing in the country so far in 2026. It has reignited urgent national conversations about veteran mental health support, domestic violence during separation, access to firearms, and the warning signs of suicidal and homicidal ideation that often go unaddressed.

Family members say Mahelia Elkins was unclear about the exact problems between her son and his wife, but the signs of deep emotional distress were evident in the weeks leading up to the shooting.

As Shreveport grapples with unimaginable grief, prayer vigils have been held, and GoFundMe campaigns launched to support the surviving mothers and extended family. The focus now is on honoring the short but joyful lives of the eight innocent children and ensuring the two critically injured women receive the care they need.

Investigators continue to piece together the full timeline and motives, though authorities stress the incident was entirely domestic in nature with no connection to terrorism.

This heartbreaking case serves as a painful reminder of how mental health struggles, relationship breakdowns, and untreated trauma can escalate into unspeakable violence. The community, the state of Louisiana, and the nation continue to mourn the loss of eight young lives taken far too soon.