8 children dead in Louisiana mass shooting, victims' names released
Editor's note: This page summarizes news of the shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, that left eight children dead on Sunday, April 19. For the latest on the Shreveport mass shooting, visit USA TODAY's coverage for Monday, April 20.
SHREVEPORT, LA – A gunman shot and killed eight children – including seven of his own – in what police described as a "violent domestic incident" in a quiet suburban neighborhood, shocking residents and officials who called the attack an "unimaginable tragedy."
Police officials said the suspect, identified as Shamar Elkins, carried out the attack at two separate homes in a south Shreveport neighborhood before dawn on April 19. Eight children, ages 3 to 11, were killed in the rampage, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office.
The gunman also shot the mother of his children and another woman, both of whom survived with serious injuries, said Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon. After the shootings, authorities say Elkins stole a car at gunpoint before he was chased and shot dead by police.
Officials have not detailed what may have led to the shooting, but said it appears entirely domestic and added that no other suspects are believed to be involved. The attack, which is among the deadliest mass shootings since January 2024, left residents and officials in disbelief.
"I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback," Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said at a news conference.
U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, who represents Shreveport, said the shooting was "indescribably disturbing" and called it "one of the worst tragedies this city has ever seen.”
Here’s the latest.
Gunman served in Louisiana Army National Guard, official says
Shamar Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020, an Army official told USA TODAY.
He served as a signal system specialist and a fire support specialist, the official said. Elkins was never deployed and left the Army as a private.
Names and ages of slain children released
The Caddo Parish Coroner's Office has released the names and ages of the children who were shot and killed Sunday morning in Shreveport.
The fatal victims 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, the coroner's office said.
Neighbor believes he saw suspect a day before the shooting
Freddie Montgomery, who lives across the street from where the shooting occurred, said he believes he saw Elkins a day before the attack.“Just yesterday afternoon, about this time, the possible person that did this thing was sitting on the porch and I waved at him yesterday. He waved at me,” Montgomery told the Shreveport Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, adding: “All the kids were playing in the yard.”
On the morning of Sunday, April 19, Montgomery said he heard a loud voice outside and saw Shreveport officers entering his neighbor’s house across the street. At the time, he was ironing the clothes he planned to wear to church.
"That's when I knew something was wrong," he said.
Suspect does not have lengthy criminal history
Shamar Elkins previously pled guilty to illegal use of weapons, court records show, and he received probation.
Authorities identify Louisiana shooting suspect
A Louisiana man behind a mass shooting spanning across three homes in a Shreveport neighborhood was identified as Shamar Elkins, according to Shreveport officials. Shreveport Police also said he had a prior conviction from 2019.
Elkins allegedly shot at least 11 people and killed eight children in what authorities called a "domestic disturbance," before being fatally shot by officers on April 19. "All of the deceased in this case are juveniles," Shreveport Police Department Corporal Christopher Bordelon said at a news conference.
Bordelon called the crime scene "extensive."
Shreveport councilmember calls attack ‘pure evil’
Councilman Grayson Boucher said the attack was the latest tragic incident involving domestic violence in Shreveport.
“Over 30 percent of our crimes, 30 percent of our murders in the city of Shreveport are domestic,” he said at a news conference. “Now that number has gone up. We’ve more than doubled our homicides in the city of Shreveport because of one act of domestic violence.”
“This is nothing but pure evil,” he added.
Boucher called for people to pray for the families of the victims and the first responders who were called to the scene. “I’m here to tell you that the burden on them is real. They will carry this for the rest of their lives,” Boucher said.
Shreveport native ‘heartbroken’ by shooting
Marty Johnson ll said he’s shocked by the Sunday morning attack.
“I am heartbroken for the kids,” he told USA TODAY. “This is very devastating.”
Johnson is related to Pastor Marty Johnson Sr., who owns the home where the shootings occurred, according to public records. Marty Johnson Sr. told the Associated Press in an interview that he doesn’t know the family and never had any dealings with them.
When asked about the family renting from his relative, Marty Johnson ll said: “I can’t really speak on that.” He added that he did not know the family personally but said, “Our hearts go out to them. We’re going to keep them in our prayers.”
Community leaders, residents react to deadly shooting
Ronald Cothran, a Caddo Parish commissioner, said he knows several of the family members impacted by the shooting.
“My condolences to the family, the entire family, because some of the family members, I knew, I grew up with as well,” said the Shreveport native. “The most important thing is my prayers and the prayers of the many individuals that are out here will be for this family.”
Cothran was among several community leaders and residents near the scene of the attack who spoke with the Shreveport Times, part of the USA TODAY Network.
“I'm just overwhelmed today for this to happen in my community,” said Satonia Small, who runs a local grassroots organization.
Louisiana state Rep. Tammy Phelps, who represents the area where the attack broke out, said she’s in disbelief.
“This is actually the district where I grew up, so it's actually still close to home,” she said. “Once getting here, and hearing the story of … what actually happened in the home. I still have chills right now.”
Shreveport Chief of Police: 'My heart goes out to this entire community'
Shreveport Chief of Police Wayne Smith said he was "taken aback" by the deadly shooting, adding that his police resources were out in the community processing the scene and working diligently for "however long it takes" to understand what led to the tragedy.
“I just don’t know what to say...my heart is just taken aback,” Smith said at a press conference. “I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur.”
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill "deeply saddened" by shooting
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said she is "deeply saddened" by the deadly incident, writing in a Facebook statement that multiple law enforcement agencies are investigating what she described as a "tragic situation."
"We do not yet know all the details, but I am deeply saddened by the senseless loss of life," Murrill wrote in the Facebook post. "I’m praying for the victims and their family members in the wake of this devastating violence."
Shreveport attack was deadliest mass shooting in over 2 years
The shootings in Shreveport represented the deadliest mass shooting since January 2024, when a gunman shot and killed eight people in a suburb of Chicago, according to a USA TODAY, Associated Press and Northeastern University Mass Killing database.
The database defines a mass shooting as an attack in which four people are killed, not including the suspect.
Mass shooting began at a Shreveport home, police say
The Shreveport Police Department has confirmed through a preliminary investigation the incident began at a home on Harrison Street. One person was shot and police said they are in critical condition.
Police said the suspect moved to W. 79th Street where they fired shots in two residences.
The suspect then went to the corner of W. 79th Street and Linwood and allegedly stole a vehicle, fleeing from police. The suspect was shot and killed in Bossier City.
Louisiana State Police is investigating the officer-involved shooting while Shreveport Police investigate the scene in Shreveport.
'Heartbreaking tragedy': House Speaker Johnson comments on shootings
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said he’s in touch with local law enforcement as more details emerge about the shootings and offered prayers to the victims and their families.
"Heartbreaking tragedy in Shreveport this morning — 8 children were senselessly killed and multiple others were injured," he said in a statement on X. "We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. And we are grateful to the Shreveport, Bossier, and Louisiana State Police for their swift response."
'Terrible morning in Shreveport,' says mayor
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the shooting as possibly "the worst tragic situation" the city has ever had.
"We have hurting families," Arceneaux said. "We have hurting police officers, coroner's personnel, fire department, sheriff people, and this effects this entire community, so we all mourn with these families."
Arceneaux continued by asking people to keep the victims and the larger Shreveport community in their prayers.
"Right now, we're going to process the information into some very good hands, but it's a terrible morning in Shreveport, and we all mourn with the victims," he said.
Louisiana governor responds to mass shooting
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry responded to news of the mass shooting in a post on X.
"Sharon and I are heartbroken over this horrific situation, and we’re praying for everyone affected," Landry wrote April 19. "We’re deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene."