Shreveport Tragedy Leaves Community Searching for Answers After Deadly Domestic Shooting

Violence Erupts Before Sunrise

In the early hours of Sunday morning, April 19, 2026, a quiet neighborhood in Shreveport was shattered by gunfire that would soon reveal an unthinkable tragedy. What began inside a family home escalated into a series of events that left an entire community in shock.

By the time law enforcement officers arrived, eight children had lost their lives, most of them found in their beds. The scale of the violence stunned both investigators and residents, marking one of the darkest days the city has ever experienced.

As details emerged, questions quickly arose about what had led to such a devastating outcome and whether any warning signs had gone unnoticed.
Two Locations, One Suspect

Authorities determined that the violence unfolded across two separate homes located a short distance apart. The suspect, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, first went to a residence on Harrison Street.

At that location, a woman was shot before Elkins left the scene and drove approximately a quarter-mile to another home on West 79th Street.

It was there that the most tragic portion of the incident occurred, as multiple children were inside the house at the time.
Children Among the Victims
Inside the West 79th Street home, seven children were found deceased. An eighth child attempted to escape by climbing onto the roof but was also fatally shot.Another child managed to survive after jumping from the roof, sustaining injuries that were not considered life-threatening.The victims ranged in age from three to eleven years old, and investigators confirmed that most had suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head.

Identities of the Victims

Officials later identified the eight 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.The group included three boys and five girls, all of whom were described by those who knew them as kind and joyful.A family member, Crystal Brown, reflected on their personalities, saying they were “Happy kids, very friendly, very sweet.”

A Violent Escape and Final Confrontation

After leaving the scene on West 79th Street, Elkins reportedly carjacked another individual and fled the area. A high-speed pursuit followed, leading authorities across the river into Bossier City.Investigators later indicated that the suspect may have driven toward that area due to a personal connection to a residence there.The pursuit came to an end on Brompton Lane near Long Acre Drive, where officers confronted Elkins and fatally shot him after he was found armed.

Weapons and Casualties

Authorities stated that Elkins had both a small-caliber handgun and a rifle-style pistol during the encounter. In total, ten people were shot during the incident.Eight of those victims died, while two adult women survived with critical injuries.The scale of the violence marked the incident as one of the deadliest in recent memory.

A Community in Shock

The tragedy left residents struggling to process what had happened. For many, the events felt incomprehensible, particularly given the young age of the victims.Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith spoke publicly, expressing visible emotion as he addressed the situation.”I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” he said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”

City Leaders Respond

Local officials also reacted with disbelief and sorrow. Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the event as “the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had.”Residents gathered later that day outside the West 79th Street home, placing flowers and holding vigils in memory of the children.Candles were lit in nearby areas as members of the community came together to grieve and support one another.

Neighbors Recall a Quiet Morning

Those living nearby described the morning as eerily calm before the violence erupted. One neighbor, Liza Demming, said her security camera captured the suspect running from the home.The audio recorded only a couple of gunshots, with no prior indication of conflict or disturbance.”It was nothing loud, no altercations,” she said. “It was quiet. Nothing.”