GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING
A former Army National Guardsman in Shreveport, Louisiana, grapples with dark thoughts before executing seven of his children and a nephew in one of the deadliest family massacres in U.S. history. Shamar Elkins, 31, opens fire during a domestic dispute with his 34-year-old wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, on Sunday.
The Tragic Shooting Spree
Elkins kills eight young children execution-style across three locations. Police report a total of 10 people shot, including Pugh and another woman who survives with serious injuries. The victims include 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, all found dead in a home near a Baptist church.
The rampage begins at the family home where Elkins argues with Pugh over their separation. A young boy jumps from the roof to escape. Elkins then carjacks a vehicle, leads officers on a high-speed chase a quarter-mile away, and reaches a third site where police fatally shoot him.
Pugh sustains multiple gunshot wounds, including to the head and stomach, and undergoes surgery Sunday night. Her family identifies the children’s bodies amid profound shock. A relative states, ‘We are in shock right now with the events that’s unfolded. Family members are standing by her hoping her surgery goes well. It’s truly a tragedy to experience this loss. Losing seven of your children and also being shot yourself.’
Relationship Strains and Final Days
Elkins and Pugh, together for 10 years and married on April 9, 2024, face divorce proceedings set for Monday. Crystal Brown, cousin of one wounded woman, confirms the couple argues about the separation. Elkins shares four daughters with Pugh and three children with the other injured woman.
Days before the shooting, Elkins posts a family photo from Easter church services, captioning it, ‘Happy Easter had a wonderful time at church for the first time with all my kids what a blessed day.’ Earlier this month, he responds bluntly to a social media prompt asking if dads would choose a different mother for the same kids: ‘Hell yehhhhhhhh I would.’ The comment now sparks widespread grief and outrage.
Parents Reveal Mental Health Struggles
Elkins battles stress from the divorce and suicidal ideation. Over Easter, he calls his mother, Mahelia Elkins, and stepfather, Marcus Jackson, in tears, expressing a desire to end his life. Jackson recalls urging him, ‘You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it.’ Elkins replies, ‘Some people don’t come back from their demons.’
Mahelia Elkins notes nothing seemed amiss during a family dinner the prior weekend. The parents grow uneasy recently, texting Elkins last Tuesday to check on him. He responds that the family is ‘ok,’ but ignores her follow-up message of love for him and the children. She reveals reconnecting with her son, whom she left with a family friend as a teenager amid her crack cocaine addiction, about 10 years ago.
Military Service and Criminal Record
Elkins serves in the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a Signal Support System Specialist and Fire Support Specialist. An Army official confirms no deployments and discharge as a private.
Court records show a 2019 arrest for firing shots near a Shreveport high school. Charges include illegal use of weapons, dangerous instrumentalities, and carrying a firearm near a school. He serves 30 days in jail and 18 months supervised release.
The investigation continues.
