In the early hours of April 19, 2026, a quiet neighbourhood in Shreveport, Louisiana’s Cedar Grove area, became the scene of unimaginable horror. What began as a domestic dispute escalated into one of the deadliest family mass shootings in recent U.S. history, leaving eight children dead and a 13-year-old boy as the sole child survivor after a desperate leap from a rooftop.

The perpetrator was identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, a Louisiana Army National Guard veteran who served from 2013 to 2020 and had a prior weapons conviction in 2019. Police say the rampage started around 5-6 a.m. on Harrison Street, where Elkins shot and critically injured a woman believed to be his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, in the face. He then drove to a second home on the 300 block of West 79th Street, where he opened fire on a group of children.

Inside that residence, Elkins killed eight children between the ages of 3 and 11: seven of his own and one cousin. The victims, identified by the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office, were 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. Three boys and five girls lost their lives in the attack, which authorities described as domestic in nature.

Amid the gunfire, some children tried to escape by crawling through windows and climbing onto the roof. One child was found dead on the roof after apparently attempting to flee. But a 13-year-old boy — whose exact relationship to Elkins has not been publicly detailed beyond being one of the children present — managed to jump from the roof in terror. He suffered broken bones, including a broken leg, but was not shot. The brave teen called for help and was taken to hospital, where he is expected to recover physically.

Two women were critically wounded in the shootings, including the children’s mother who underwent surgery and is expected to survive. The attack spanned multiple homes, leaving the community in shock.

After the massacre, Elkins fled the scene in a carjacked vehicle. Police pursued him into Bossier City, where officers exchanged gunfire and fatally shot him. No officers were injured.

Neighbours described hearing rapid gunshots and seeing chaos unfold. One resident two houses away captured video on her security camera showing the suspect running with gunfire audible in the background. Another couple living nearby spoke of “full terror” as the events unfolded behind their home.

Elkins had reportedly been struggling with mental health issues. Weeks earlier, on Easter Sunday (April 5), he called his mother and stepfather, confessing to “dark thoughts” and expressing suicidal ideation amid marital troubles, including an impending divorce hearing scheduled for the following Monday. He worked at UPS at the time of the incident.

The shooting is the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in more than two years, according to tracking data. It has left the Shreveport community mourning eight young lives cut short and grappling with questions about domestic violence, mental health support for veterans, and how such tragedy could unfold in a family setting.

The 13-year-old survivor’s courageous escape has become a symbol of resilience amid unspeakable loss. While he faces a long road to physical and emotional recovery, his actions likely saved his own life when others could not.

As investigators piece together the timeline, audio evidence, and motive, the focus remains on supporting the surviving family members, the injured women, and especially the lone child who jumped from that roof in a desperate bid for survival.

This heartbreaking case once again highlights the devastating impact of untreated mental health crises and domestic disputes when they escalate into violence. For the families shattered in Shreveport, the pain is profound, and the community’s grief is only beginning.