A Louisiana man shot ten people in a household, including eight children who died, after separating from his wife

Photo/Shamar Elkins

A Shreveport, Louisiana man named Shamar Elkins, tragically shot ten people on Sunday. Reports indicate that there are two survivors.

Local authorities have characterized the incident as a domestic violence dispute. According to People, "Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon shared that seven of the eight children who were killed were Shamar's, and the suspect's wife and a woman believed to be his girlfriend were also shot and seriously injured, per NBC News and KSLA." The eighth child was reportedly a family friend.

Shamar and his children

Law enforcement fatally shot the gunman as he attempted to flee the scene in a stolen vehicle. Authorities believe he was the only individual who discharged a firearm during the incident.

Bordelon described the crime scene as “very large,” and spanning across two residences. He emphasized that the situation appeared to be domestic in nature rather than a random shooting. The authorities responded to the scene around 6 AM on Sunday.

The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office identified the deceased children as Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5. A ninth child, a 13-year-old boy, managed to escape by jumping off the roof of the home, although he sustained some broken bones.

The gunman and his wife, Shaneiqua Elkins, were reportedly going through a divorce after only two years of marriage. According to The Associated Press, the couple had been arguing frequently during their separation.

Shamar and his wife, Shaneiqua Elkins

Shamar's mother and stepfather told The New York Times that he did not want the divorce and, as a result, was struggling with "dark thoughts." His stepfather, Marcus Jackson, mentioned that he had encouraged Shamar, reassuring him that he could overcome his depression and feelings of darkness. He said Shamar then explained, "Some people don’t come back from their demons."

Not long before the shooting, Elkins addressed his struggles on Facebook, sharing a prayer in which he asked, “Dear God, today I ask You to help me guard my mind and my emotions.”

According to the New York Post, Elkins' former army mentor and commander from the U.S. Army Reserves, Michael Mayence, recounted that Elkins appeared at his doorstep after a horrific shooting incident.

In a Facebook post, Mayence shared, “I was totally unaware of all of the events taking place this morning when my cameras suddenly activated that there was activity in my doorway.” He described his long-standing bond with Elkins, whom he had known since childhood, and acknowledged that he had helped "raise" him. Mayence was aware of Elkins' troubled marriage and expressed his shock at the violent turn of events, stating,"I had spoken with him just yesterday about his possible divorce. I didn’t pick up any indicators of murder/suicide, and I should have!"

According to reports, as authorities opened fired as Elkins tragically took his own life outside Mayence's home. Mayence further explained that moment in his post, "I went and heard his voice, My Nephew, and then opened the door unknowingly, and he was standing there with his short barrel AR carbine. We talked for a little under a minute and then he put the barrel to his mouth and DONE. When he fired, I assume that the police thought he was shooting at them or me so they then opened fire."

Authorities are still investigating the tragic incident.

If you need assistance, the 988 Lifeline and suicide prevention line is available. Call, text, or chat to 988 for assistance.

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