"A tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had." — Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux
A shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 19, 2026, resulted in the deaths of eight children and injuries to two women. The suspected gunman, identified by police as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, died after a pursuit by law enforcement. Authorities described the incident as domestic in nature.
The Shooting
Police responded to a report of gunfire around 6:00 a.m. local time in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport. The incident involved multiple locations. Investigators reported the following sequence of events:
- Initial Shooting: The suspect first shot an adult female on Harrison Street.
- Subsequent Killings: He then traveled to a residence on West 79th Street, where the fatal shootings occurred.
- Wounded Victims: A total of ten people were shot by the suspect. Two adult women were injured, including the suspect's wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, who was reported in critical condition. The other injured woman was identified as Christina Snow.
- Survivor Accounts: One victim who attempted to flee was found outside a residence. A 13-year-old boy escaped by jumping from a roof, sustaining broken bones.
Police believe the suspect was the only individual who fired gunshots.
Victims
The Caddo Parish coroner identified the deceased children as:
- Jayla Elkins, 3
- Shayla Elkins, 5
- Kayla Pugh, 6
- Layla Pugh, 7 (some sources reported age as 6)
- Markaydon Pugh, 10
- Sariahh Snow, 11
- Khedarrion Snow, 6
- Braylon Snow, 5
Police stated that several of the children were descendants of the suspect, and other sources reported that seven of the eight deceased children were Elkins's children.
Pursuit and Suspect's Death
After the shootings, the suspect fled the scene. Police reported he carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint near Linwood Avenue and West 79th Street. Officers located the vehicle and initiated a pursuit. The chase continued into neighboring Bossier Parish, where officers confronted the suspect. Officers discharged their weapons, and the suspect was killed at the scene. No officers were injured. The Louisiana State Police is investigating the circumstances of the suspect's death as it involved an officer-involved shooting.
Investigation and Background
Multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith stated that investigators would examine all evidence to understand what took place.
-
Suspect's Background: Shamar Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020, leaving as a private, according to an Army official. He later worked for UPS. Court records show Elkins pleaded guilty in October 2019 to illegal use of weapons and was sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation. A 2024 report from the Louisiana Department of Health highlighted intimate partner violence as a significant public health concern in the state.
-
Possible Motive: Authorities stated the shooting was related to a domestic incident. Relatives reported that Elkins and his wife were in the process of separating and were scheduled to appear in court on Monday, April 20. Relatives also reported that Elkins had expressed "dark thoughts" and suicidal ideation in a phone call and had recently sought mental health treatment from a Veteran Affairs medical center. Police were not aware of prior domestic violence issues involving Elkins.
Legal Developments
On Tuesday, April 21, federal charges were filed against Charles Ford, 56, of Shreveport. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Ford is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and making a false statement to federal agents. Court documents state Ford told investigators he believes Elkins stole an assault-style rifle from his truck around March 9. Ford initially denied having the gun when approached by investigators after the shooting but later admitted to possessing it. Ford is expected to receive a federal public defender.
Official Statements
- Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the incident as "a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had."
- Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued a statement saying he and his wife were heartbroken and expressed gratitude to law enforcement and first responders.
- U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose district includes the area, referred to the event as a "heartbreaking tragedy."
- U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller stated, "Elkins' death means that our community will never see him face justice."
National Context
According to databases maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University, this was the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024. The Gun Violence Archive, which defines a mass shooting as an incident where at least four people are shot, listed at least 119 such incidents in the U.S. prior to this event in 2026.