Eight Children Killed in Shreveport Mass Shooting Identified by Authorities

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, resulted in the deaths of eight children, according to multiple authoritative sources. The incident occurred in the Cedar Grove neighborhood, with authorities confirming the shooter killed seven of his own children and one additional child who was a relative.

Victims Identified by Coroner’s Office

The Caddo Parish Coroner’s office released the names and ages of the children killed in the shooting. The victims are:

• 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
• Braylon Snow, 5 years old

According to the coroner’s report, the children consisted of five girls and three boys, with ages ranging from 3 to 11 years old. Seven of the victims were siblings and the eighth was identified as a cousin.

Details of the Shooting Incident

Shreveport Police Department officials stated that the shooting began early Sunday morning when the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, first shot the mother of his children at one residence, causing serious injuries. He then proceeded to a second home approximately a quarter-mile away in the same neighborhood, where he shot the eight children and another woman.

The incident involved two separate locations about a quarter-mile apart in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood. Police reported that two adult women were shot and hospitalized with serious gunshot wounds, with one undergoing surgery. One of the women was identified as the gunman’s wife, and the other as the mother of the eighth child.

A 13-year-old boy was also injured even as attempting to escape the gunfire by jumping from a roof, sustaining several broken bones, according to Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon.

Suspect Identified and Deceased

Authorities identified the suspect as Shamar Elkins, 31, who was killed by police during a pursuit. Elkins had previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020 as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist. He had pleaded guilty to a weapons charge in 2019 and was arrested on a firearms charge that same year, resulting in an 18-month probation sentence.

Shreveport Police pursued Elkins after the shootings, leading to a carjacking and chase into Bossier City where officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, resulting in his death.

Community Response and Official Statements

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the incident as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had.” Local officials, including Shreveport City Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor, emphasized the ongoing issue of domestic violence in the community, with Taylor stating that family members requested privacy to grieve and process the tragedy.

A prayer vigil was held by community members in response to the shooting, with candles lit in honor of the victims. Community leaders called for increased awareness and resources to address domestic violence, which officials described as an epidemic in the city.

Investigation and Aftermath

The shooting is being investigated as a domestic-related incident by Shreveport Police Department. Ten people were struck by gunfire in total during the incident, including the eight children and two adult women.

Authorities continue to process the scene and gather evidence as part of the ongoing investigation. The Caddo Parish Coroner’s office confirmed the cause of death for all eight children as gunshot wounds.