Shamar Elkins has been identified as the gunman who killed eight children in a horrific Shreveport, Louisiana shooting. Get the latest updates on this tragedy.
The city of Shreveport, Louisiana, is paralyzed by grief following a monstrous act of domestic violence that has left eight children dead. On the morning of Sunday, April 19, 2026, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins allegedly carried out a calculated execution-style attack across multiple homes, claiming the lives of victims aged 1 to 11. As details of the gunman’s background as a military veteran surface, the community is struggling to comprehend how a domestic dispute escalated into the nation’s deadliest mass shooting in over two years.
A Domestic Dispute Turns Deadly
The violence reportedly began around 5:00 a.m. at a residence on Harrison Street, where Elkins is accused of shooting a woman in the head before driving to a second location on West 79th Street. It was at this second home where the most horrific scenes unfolded, with seven of the children being his own biological offspring.
Witnesses described a scene of absolute terror as some children desperately tried to escape the gunfire by climbing onto the roof or jumping from windows. One adolescent boy survived after jumping from the rooftop, suffering broken bones but avoiding the gunfire that claimed the lives of his siblings and cousins.
What We Know So Far
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Date of Incident: Sunday, April 19, 2026.
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Location: Cedar Grove neighborhood, Shreveport, LA.
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Total Fatalities: 9 (8 children and the gunman).
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Children Killed: Jayla (3), Shayla (5), Kayla (6), Layla (7), Markaydon (10), Sariahh (11), Khedarrion (6), and Braylon (5).
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Suspect Status: Shamar Elkins was shot and killed by police after a carjacking and high-speed chase into Bossier City.
The Gunman’s Background and Motive
Shamar Elkins was an Army veteran who served in the Louisiana National Guard from 2013 to 2020. Despite his military service, his past included a 2019 weapons conviction involving illegal gunfire near a school. Investigators believe the motive for Sunday’s massacre was rooted in a domestic conflict; Elkins and his wife were reportedly in the middle of a separation and were scheduled for a court appearance just one day after the shooting.
Hours before the attack, Elkins reportedly posted a photo of himself with his eldest daughter on social media. This chilling contrast to the subsequent violence has left neighbors and relatives searching for answers, particularly as he had recently shared photos of the family attending an Easter service together.
Official Response and Community Mourning
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux called the incident “the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had,” while Police Chief Wayne Smith admitted his heart was “taken aback” by the scale of the carnage. The two women wounded in the attack—including the mother of several of the children—remain in critical condition at local hospitals.
A high-level task force involving the Louisiana State Police is now leading the investigation into the crime scenes. Vigils have already begun to form in the Cedar Grove neighborhood, with teddy bears and candles marking the homes where the young victims lost their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the Shreveport shooter Shamar Elkins? Shamar Elkins was a 31-year-old Shreveport resident and former member of the Louisiana National Guard who fatally shot eight children before being killed by police.
How many people were killed in the Shreveport shooting? Eight children were killed in the incident. Including the gunman, there are nine total fatalities. Two women also suffered life-threatening injuries.
What was the motive for the Shamar Elkins shooting? Police have characterized the massacre as a domestic incident. Reports suggest Elkins was involved in a legal dispute over a separation from his wife.
The Shreveport community faces a long road to recovery as they process this unprecedented loss of young life. We will continue to track the condition of the survivors and the findings of the ongoing police investigation.
Bookmark this page — we will update as more details emerge regarding the victims and the legal investigation.
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