Overview
- The rampage, which unfolded early Sunday across two nearby homes in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood, left eight children dead and two women in critical condition.
- Police identified the shooter as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, the father of seven of the victims, who carjacked a vehicle and died after officers fired during a pursuit into Bossier Parish.
- The Caddo Parish coroner released the children’s names and ages 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, and said the eighth child was a cousin.
- Detectives described the killings as entirely domestic in nature, saying the shootings began at one residence before most of the children were found at a second house, including one child discovered dead on a roof after trying to flee.
- Authorities noted Elkins’ 2019 illegal-firearm conviction and previous service in the Louisiana Army National Guard, and local leaders called for expanded support for families facing domestic violence and mental-health crises.