GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING
A former Army National Guardsman battling dark thoughts executed eight young children in a Shreveport, Louisiana home during a domestic dispute with his wife, who demanded a divorce. Shamar Elkins, 31, opened fire on Sunday, killing seven of his children and a nephew execution-style before police fatally shot him during a vehicle chase.
The Shooting Sequence
The violence erupted at a residence near a Baptist church, where Elkins shot 10 people total. Victims included his children Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; and three children from another relationship: Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5. All eight children died at the scene.
Elkins shot his 34-year-old wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, multiple times, including in the head and stomach. She underwent surgery Sunday night. Another woman, mother to three of the children, suffered life-threatening injuries, while one survivor is expected to recover. A young boy escaped by jumping from the home’s roof.
Shreveport police report Elkins carjacked a vehicle at the first scene, sparking a high-speed chase a quarter-mile away to a third location, where officers killed him.
Relationship Strains and Final Days
Elkins and Pugh, married on April 9, 2024, after a decade together, faced separation. They shared four daughters and were scheduled for court Monday. Crystal Brown, cousin of one wounded woman, stated the couple argued over the split. “He murdered his children,” Brown said. “He shot his wife.”
Days earlier, Elkins posted an Easter photo with his seven children, captioning it: “Happy Easter had a wonderful time at church for the first time with all my kids what a blessed day.” He also replied to a social media prompt asking if dads would choose a different mother for their kids: “Hell yehhhhhhhh I would.”
Over Easter, Elkins tearfully called his mother, Mahelia Elkins, and stepfather, Marcus Jackson, expressing suicidal thoughts amid divorce stress. “I told him, ‘You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it,'” Jackson recounted. Elkins replied, “Some people don’t come back from their demons.”
His parents last saw him the prior weekend for dinner and noticed nothing unusual. They texted him Tuesday checking in; he said the family was “ok,” but never responded to their follow-up.
Elkins’ Background
Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020 as a Signal Support System Specialist and Fire Support Specialist. He had no deployments and left as a private.
Court records show a 2019 arrest for firing shots near a Shreveport high school, charged with illegal weapon use, carrying a firearm near a school, and dangerous instrumentalities. He served 30 days in jail and 18 months supervised release.
A relative described the aftermath: “We are in shock right now with the events that’s unfolded. Family members are standing by her hoping her surgery goes well. It’s truly a tragedy to experience this loss. Losing seven of your children and also being shot yourself.” The investigation continues.
