Eight young lives gone in a heartbreaking Shreveport incident—an entire Louisiana community is left devastated.

A quiet Louisiana neighborhood is reeling after a tragedy that claimed eight young lives, as a nearby resident’s account and the children’s parents’ social media activity in the days before the incident provide insight into the events.

A shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 19, 2026, left eight children dead and two others injured — an incident authorities say involved someone within the home.

Authorities have begun outlining what happened, as someone in the neighborhood described the sudden chaos.

Family members gather outside a Shreveport home following a deadly shooting, April 19, 2026 | Source: Getty Images

A Timeline of Violence Emerges

Police in Shreveport responded to reports of a shooting involving multiple victims, according to NBC News. Investigators said the gunman shot 10 people in total, killing eight children and wounding two women.

Authorities identified the suspect as Shamar Elkins, the children’s father. Seven of the children were found inside the residence, while an eighth was discovered on a back roof.

The children were later identified 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, according to the New York Post.

Additionally, two women were wounded in the shooting, including Shamar’s wife, Shaneiqua Elkins, who was shot in the face and survived, and another woman believed to be his girlfriend.

A teenager was also reportedly injured after falling from the roof, but did not suffer gunshot wounds. As investigators continued examining the case, officials said the motive remains unclear.