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.
“We know it’s domestic in nature, we know his wife is involved, and she is the mother of at least seven of the children, with the eighth being a family friend,” said Christopher Bordelon, a spokesperson for the Shreveport Police Department.
Authorities said a small-caliber handgun was used in part of the violence, and Shamar was armed with a rifle-style pistol when officers confronted him.
Officers later confronted Shamar and fatally shot him, bringing the immediate threat to an end.
Police officer Chris Bordelon speaks to the media near the scene of a shooting that left eight children dead in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 19, 2026 | Source: Getty Images
Authorities also reported that many of the children appeared to have been shot while asleep, most sustaining gunshot wounds to the head.
As more details emerged, attention turned to what Shamar’s life looked like in the days leading up to the shooting.
Community members embrace while mourning victims of a Shreveport shooting, April 19, 2026 | Source: Getty Images
A Glimpse Into Their Facebook Activity
Before the shooting, Shamar remained active on Facebook, sharing moments from his daily life that often centered on his children, though his profile listed little personal information beyond his gender.
In an April 18 post, just days before the incident, he shared a photo of his eldest child sitting in the front seat of a vehicle and eating a burger during what he described as a one-on-one outing.
Back on April 6, he shared a photo of himself standing outside a home with several children, dressed for Easter, and gathered closely together.
Earlier posts took on a more introspective tone.
In one post dated April 9, he shared a lengthy prayer centered on strength, peace, and protection. In another post from March 12, he shared a short message that read, “Understand to be misunderstood.”
On February 13, he shared a photo showing several children sitting on the floor inside a home, gathered closely around large open trays of food as they ate together during a casual group meal.
Like Shamar, Shaneiqua also maintained an active presence on the same platform.
Her profile listed her as living in Shreveport, Louisiana, indicated that the couple had been married since April 9, 2024, and showed that she attended Independence University.
Her page included a mix of personal details and reposted content, including a pinned post emphasizing her focus on prayer and faith.
More recent activity included reposted content, such as a message referencing her zodiac sign, Aries, as well as shared videos. Her profile reflected regular engagement through short captions and reposts rather than lengthy personal updates.
Their posts offered a window into their lives in the days leading up to the incident, but for those nearby, the events took a far different turn.
Neighbor Recalls Chaos
As reported by KSLA 12 News, a nearby resident described the moment the violence unfolded, recalling confusion and shock as the situation escalated.
“My thought process was like, man, there’s no way that that just happened behind our house. You know, it was, I was just in total shock. I was just like, oh my God, dude. Like, it was just chaos. I mean, honestly like, it was just nothing like I’ve ever experienced,” Jacob Castleman said.
Community members gather outside a home following a shooting that left eight children dead in Shreveport on April 19, 2026 | Source: Getty Images
Jacob said he woke up to his wife telling him she heard sirens and possibly a gunshot.
“And then I set up and we heard another gunshot. And I was like, all right, that’s pretty close. So as I got up, we heard several more fires. And then I went and grabbed my firearm and checked out the back because that’s where I thought everything was coming from,” he said.
People light candles at a vigil in Shreveport, Louisiana | Source: Getty Images
Authorities have not yet determined what led up to the shooting, as they continue working to establish a clearer sequence of events.
In the aftermath, the loss of eight young lives has left a lasting impact on the community, with many still searching for answers in the wake of the tragedy
