Early on the morning of April 19, 2026, a domestic dispute in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood spiraled into unimaginable tragedy, claiming the lives of eight children in what has become one of the deadliest family mass shootings in recent U.S. history. Amid the horror, one 13-year-old boy became the sole child survivor after a desperate leap from a rooftop.

The perpetrator was 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, a Louisiana Army National Guard veteran who served from 2013 to 2020. He had a prior 2019 weapons conviction and was reportedly struggling with mental health issues. Family members revealed that weeks earlier, on Easter Sunday, Elkins had called his mother and stepfather, confessing to “dark thoughts” and suicidal ideation amid ongoing marital problems, including an impending divorce hearing.

The rampage began around 5-6 a.m. on Harrison Street, where Elkins shot and critically injured a woman believed to be his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, in the face. He then drove to a second residence on the 300 block of West 79th Street, where he opened fire on a group of children inside the home.

The victims, identified by the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office, 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. Seven of the children were Elkins’ own; the eighth was a cousin. The victims ranged in age from 3 to 11, with three boys and five girls among the dead.

During the gunfire, several children attempted to flee by climbing through windows and onto the roof. One child was found deceased on the roof after trying to escape. However, a 13-year-old boy — present during the attack — managed to jump from the roof in terror. He sustained broken bones, including a broken leg, but was not shot. The courageous teen called for help and was transported to a hospital, where he is expected to make a physical recovery. (Note: Initial reports referred to the survivor as a 13-year-old boy, though some updates clarified details around roof-jump escapees, including a 12-year-old girl and her mother who also jumped and sustained injuries.)

Two women were critically wounded in the shootings, including the children’s mother, who underwent surgery and is expected to survive. The attack spanned multiple locations, leaving the tight-knit community in profound shock.

After the massacre, Elkins fled the scene in a carjacked vehicle. Police pursued him into neighbouring Bossier City, where officers engaged in a gunfire exchange and fatally shot him. No officers were injured.

Neighbours recounted hearing rapid gunshots and witnessing the chaos. One resident captured video on her security camera showing the suspect running with gunfire audible in the background. Another couple living nearby described experiencing “full terror” as the events unfolded behind their home.

The shooting stands as the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in more than two years. It has left the Shreveport community mourning eight young lives cut short and raising urgent questions about domestic violence, mental health support for veterans, and the escalation of family disputes into lethal violence.

The 13-year-old survivor’s actions in jumping from the roof have been highlighted as a remarkable act of resilience and quick thinking amid unspeakable fear. While he now faces a long journey of physical healing and emotional recovery, his escape ensured he lived when so many others could not.

As authorities continue to investigate the timeline, audio evidence, and underlying motive, the focus remains on supporting the surviving family members, the injured women, and especially the lone child who found the courage to leap to safety. Community leaders and officials have expressed deep sorrow and called for increased resources for mental health and domestic violence prevention.

This heartbreaking case once again underscores the devastating consequences when untreated mental health crises intersect with access to firearms and escalating domestic tensions. For the families shattered in Cedar Grove, the grief is immeasurable, and healing will be a long and painful process.