In a heartbreaking and unimaginable Shreveport shooting that has shocked Louisiana and the entire nation, authorities have finally released the names of the eight young victims. The gunman has been identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, a U.S. Army veteran and father to seven of the slain children. This domestic tragedy unfolded early Sunday morning, April 19, 2026, in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport, marking one of the deadliest mass shootings in the U.S. in over two years.
The Victims: Names and Ages of the Shreveport Shooting Victims
The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the eight children killed in the Shreveport mass shooting:
- Jayla Elkins, 3
- Shayla Elkins, 5
- Kayla Pugh, 6
- Layla Pugh, 7
- Markaydon Pugh, 10
- Sariahh Snow, 11
- Khedarrion Snow, 6
- Braylon Snow, 5
Seven of the children were siblings, and one was their cousin. Most were reportedly shot while sleeping in what police described as a violent domestic disturbance spanning multiple homes. Two women — believed to be Elkins’ wife (shot in the face) and another woman — were also wounded but survived.
Gunman Identified: Shamar Elkins
Shreveport police identified the gunman as Shamar Elkins, who was later shot and killed by officers following a carjacking and high-speed pursuit into nearby Bossier City. Elkins, a 31-year-old Army veteran who worked for UPS, had a prior 2019 firearms-related arrest. Just hours before the rampage, he reportedly posted a photo with one of his daughters on social media.
Authorities say the incident stemmed from a domestic situation, possibly linked to an impending separation. Elkins allegedly used a small-caliber handgun in the initial attacks before fleeing with a rifle-style pistol.
A Community in Mourning
The Shreveport shooting victims were young lives full of potential — ages ranging from 3 to 11 — ripped away in a single morning of horror. Local leaders, including city council members and congressman Cleo Fields, have expressed profound grief, calling the tragedy “unimaginable” and one that reaches “far beyond” the immediate families.
This event has reignited national conversations around domestic violence, gun access, and mental health support for veterans. As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting the surviving family members and the traumatized Shreveport community.
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this senseless Shreveport mass shooting. May the names of these eight precious children never be forgotten: Jayla, Shayla, Kayla, Layla, Markaydon, Sariahh, Khedarrion, and Braylon.
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