A Shreveport, Louisiana, community is reeling after eight children were killed and two women critically injured in a domestic-related shooting that unfolded across multiple homes early Sunday morning, according to law enforcement officials.
Police identified the suspect as 32-year-old Shamar Elkins, the father of seven of the children who died. He was later fatally shot by officers following a police pursuit.
The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the eight children killed in the shooting as five girls and three boys, ranging in age from 3 to 11.
Officials confirmed their mothers identified them 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, CBS News reported.
Investigators described the killings as “execution-style” and said one child was later found on the roof after attempting to flee the residence.
Authorities say the violence began in the early morning hours at a residence on Harrison Street, where Elkins allegedly shot one woman before leaving the scene.
Officials say the Army veteran then traveled to a second home where the majority of the killings took place.
In total, two adult women, including the mother of several of the children, were critically wounded and taken to a hospital. Officials have not released further details on their conditions as the investigation continues.
Authorities said the attack began during a domestic dispute around 5 a.m., when Elkins allegedly shot one woman in the face before moving to the second residence where the remaining victims were killed.
After the shootings, authorities say Elkins fled the area and escalated the situation by carjacking a vehicle at gunpoint.
A police pursuit followed into nearby Bossier Parish. Officers later located the suspect, and he was shot and killed during the encounter. No officers were injured, according to NewsNation.
Police describe the case as domestic in nature and involving family members connected across multiple households.
Investigators say Elkins had children with more than one woman involved in the incident and that the victims were spread between two residences.
Officials say they are examining whether an ongoing separation between Elkins and the mother of several children played a role, though a motive has not been confirmed.
The attack prompted a large-scale law enforcement response across several locations, with investigators working to secure multiple scenes and piece together a timeline.
Authorities say the case spans at least two homes and includes both the shootings and the subsequent flight and confrontation with police.
Evidence collection and interviews remain ongoing as officials attempt to establish a full sequence of events.
Local and state leaders expressed shock following the killings.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux called the incident a devastating loss for the city, while Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) said he and his wife were heartbroken and extended condolences to the families and first responders involved.
Louisiana State Police are assisting in the investigation and are also reviewing the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death, which occurred during an officer-involved shooting following the pursuit.
Authorities say Elkins had a prior firearms-related arrest in 2019 and previously pleaded guilty to illegal use of weapons, though officials describe his criminal history as limited.
Investigators continue to process multiple scenes and await forensic results as they work to reconstruct the full timeline of events across each location.
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