In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through Shreveport, Louisiana, eight young children lost their lives in a shooting perpetrated by their father. This heart-wrenching event occurred early on Sunday, April 19, and has left a community in mourning as they come to terms with the devastating loss.
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The victims, aged between three and eleven, have been identified 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. All but one of the children were the offspring of Shamar Elkins, the shooter, while the remaining child was a cousin. According to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office, they were all shot in the family’s home.
Shamar Elkins was involved in a violent altercation with police, who fatally shot him after he fled the scene in a vehicle that had been carjacked. The Shreveport Police Department confirmed the sequence of events during which, tragically, eight innocent lives were taken.
In addition to the children, two women sustained injuries during the shooting incident, with one being Shamar’s wife and the other a girlfriend. A 12-year-old girl managed to escape by leaping from the roof, sustaining multiple injuries in the process.
New information has emerged regarding the relationship between Shamar and Sariahh’s mother, Christina Luvynhymdearly Snow. It is understood that she was previously married to Shamar and had voiced her concerns about his behaviour on social media years prior to this tragedy. Although their marriage appeared to have moments of joy, Christina posted musings in 2016 lamenting her relationship with Shamar, indicating a tumultuous history.
Christina shared photographs of happy moments following Sariahh’s birth in 2013, but with the passage of time, her posts became increasingly troubling. In one instance from December 2016, she expressed regret about meeting him, suggesting that their marriage had deteriorated. The specifics of their separation remain unclear, and it has not been confirmed if Christina is the mother of any of the other deceased children.
In a poignant display of grief, Markaydon’s father, Troy Brown, took to social media to express his sorrow, stating, “I love u Mar’Kaydon nothing will ever change that.” He urged the community to pray for him and his partner, Keosha Pugh, as they cope with the loss of their only son, along with the loss of their nieces and nephews.
To aid the families affected by this tragedy, a local outreach group named Be The Village has established a GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering funeral expenses as well as medical costs for the survivors. The campaign highlights the necessity of community support, stating, “This is bigger than one family … this is about showing what community truly looks like in a time of crisis.”
While the police have not yet revealed a definitive motive behind the horrific act, they described the incident as “heinous” and indicative of domestic violence. Reports suggest that one week prior to the shootings, Shamar had confided in family members about experiencing “dark thoughts”, particularly as his wife expressed intentions to divorce him. A conversation with his stepfather reportedly included a somber admission: “Some people don’t come back from their demons.”
In an examination of a career spanning nearly five decades, Police Chief Wayne Smith stated he had “never encountered anything of this magnitude,” reflecting the profound impact this tragedy has had on law enforcement and the wider community.
As the bereaved families begin to navigate their grief, resources are available for anyone suffering from domestic violence. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-799-7233 or through their website, providing confidential support 24/7 in over 170 languages.
This devastating event serves as a reminder of the critical importance of recognising and addressing domestic violence, urging communities to come together to prevent further tragedies and to support those in need.