Tragic Mass Shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana: Shamar Elkins Kills 8 Children, Wounds Wife Shaneiqua Pugh

On the morning of April 19, 2026, a horrific domestic-related shooting occurred in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport, Louisiana. Shamar Elkins, 31, a former Louisiana Army National Guard member, fatally shot eight children (seven of whom were his own) at two separate homes. He also critically wounded two women, including his wife Shaneiqua Pugh (also referred to as Shaneiqua Elkins), who was shot in the face and survived, and another woman (reportedly her sister or related to the family).

Shamar Elkins was later killed by police after a car chase and attempted carjacking in nearby Bossier City.
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Victims

The eight children killed, aged 3 to 11, were identified by the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office as:

Jayla Elkins, 3
Shayla Elkins, 5
Kayla Pugh, 6
Layla Pugh, 7 (or 6 in some reports)
Markaydon Pugh, 10
Sariahh Snow, 11
Khedarrion Snow, 6
Braylon Snow, 5

Shaneiqua Pugh was the mother of four of the deceased children. The other children were from Shamar’s previous relationship. One additional child (a cousin in some accounts) was also among the victims.

Context and Timeline

Shaneiqua Pugh had filed for divorce. The couple, who married in April 2024 (after being together for years), were scheduled to appear in court on Monday, April 20, 2026 — just one day after the shooting.
Family members reported ongoing stress in the marriage and that Shamar had recently been hospitalized for mental health issues (he spent about a week and a half at a Veterans Affairs facility and was released).
Shamar had posted on social media in the days leading up to the tragedy, including family photos and moments with his children. Some posts reflected personal struggles, though no explicit public threat was widely reported as a direct “chilling warning” of the impending violence.

This devastating event is being investigated as a domestic-related mass shooting, one of the deadliest in the U.S. in recent years. It highlights the extreme risks that can arise during relationship breakdowns, especially when mental health issues and access to firearms are involved.

Shaneiqua Pugh remains in critical condition but is expected to survive. The community and family members are mourning the loss of the children, with an outpouring of grief and calls for support.

Our thoughts are with the survivors, the extended family, and the Shreveport community during this unimaginable loss. This is a developing story, and authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances.

Note: This is an extremely sensitive and tragic case involving the murder of children. The details above are based on official reports and credible news coverage as of April 21, 2026. Sensationalized social media posts often add unverified “chilling warnings” or dramatized motives — stick to verified sources for accurate information.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or mental health distress, please reach out to local resources or hotlines for support.