The Louisiana city of Shreveport is in deep grief after eight children died in a mass shooting on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Early Sunday morning, a gunman fired shots and killed eight kids aged 3 to 11. The attack shook the whole community.

It is the worst mass shooting in more than two years. Police named the gunman as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins. He shot and killed his seven children and one cousin.

The attack also hurt two women, one his wife, before dawn. It happened at least at two spots. Police called it “homicide in nature.” The gunman fled in a stolen car. A police chase ended in a shootout. Officers killed the suspect.

Caddo Parish Coroner’s office confirmed the victims: 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.

Who was the gunman?

Shamar Elkins served seven years in the Louisiana Army National Guard. From August 2013 to August 2020, as a signal support system expert and a fire support specialist, per CNN.

Elkins was never sent overseas and left the Army in 2020. His rank then was E1 (private). CNN also reported his past crimes. He had two convictions in Caddo District Court. Court records show Elkins married Shaneiqua Pugh, 34, about two years ago.

The New York Times said Elkins had a hard home life and bad ties with his wife. The Associated Press reported the couple was splitting up. They had a big fight right before the shooting.

This is the deadliest U.S. mass shooting since January 2024. Then, a 23-year-old man shot eight people, mostly family, in a Chicago suburb.