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Louisiana Father Kills Seven of His Children and One Relative in Shreveport Shooting
Shamar Elkins fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, in a domestic shooting across two homes in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 19, 2026. Two women were wounded, and Elkins died after a police chase. The incident marks the deadliest U.S. mass shooting since January 2024.
Apr 20, 3:41 AM·2m read9 sources
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Shreveport, Louisiana (Substrate) -- A gunman killed eight children in a shooting across two houses in a neighborhood south of downtown Shreveport on Sunday, April 19, 2026, according to the Shreveport Police Department. The victims included seven of the shooter's own children and one other child related to him, relatives told The New York Times.
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The suspect, identified as Shamar Elkins, an adult male, died after a police pursuit into Bossier City that morning.
M. when Elkins shot a woman in the face during a domestic dispute, a relative told the Associated Press. He then drove to another location where he carried out the shooting of the children.
A total of 10 people were shot, of which eight children were killed, Shreveport Police Department spokesman Chris Bordelon said. Two women were shot and wounded and are being treated for serious injuries. The two wounded women are the mothers of Elkins's children, and he and his wife had been arguing about their separation ahead of a court appearance on Monday, April 20, 2026, the relative said.
The children killed were Jayla Elkins, age 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office. The children were three boys and five girls aged between three and 11.
Police described the shooting as execution-style, with Elkins targeting victims as they tried to escape through a window.
One child escaped by jumping from the roof of the home and was taken to hospital, BBC News reported. State Rep. Tammy Phelps said some children tried to escape out the back door. Officers fired at Elkins during the chase after he carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint, Bordelon said.
