Another horrific tragedy that has rocked an entire family and community. The most startling and shocker of this mass shooting is one involving a father who deleted his own children and another child who wasn’t ‘akin’ to him but a cousin of his children in Cedar Grove, Shreveport Louisiana on Sunday morning of April 19th, 2026.
Just two weeks prior on Easter Sunday April 4th, 2026 , Elkins posted himself with his seven children with the caption that read: “Happy Easter Everyone, My first Time At Church With My Kids, What A Blessed Day” he wrote. On Friday April 17th , he posted another photo of his oldest daughter eating a burger sandwich: ” Lol .. Took My Oldest On a Lil 1 on 1 Date, Had To Catch Her Down Bad Ugh.. “ he said.
So What Happened Or Changed With Shamar Elkins To Lead Him To Execute This Mass Shooting?
Shamar Elkins, 31 years-old was an Army Veteran who served seven years in the Louisiana National Guard. Records indicated that he was never deployed during his time of service but he held a few high ranking titles throughout his term, and gained much respect from his community peers when returned home to Shreveport.
Incoming news report confirm that Shamar and his wife, Shaniqua Pugh Elkins were ‘getting a divorce’ and the two had an upcoming court date scheduled for Monday April 20th, 2026 to discuss the formal proceedings of child custody, and more. The two were reportedly together for over a decade and married just two-years ago on April 10th, of 2024.
On April 9th, Shamar posted a spiritual inspiration message on social media that spoke to his mental instability in that moment of his life and asking Jesus for guidance and strength to overcome his thoughts and emotions of what he’d been feeling.
It appears this was all too much for Shamar who saw this as a formal end to his life he had built with his wife and children in Cedar Grove on West 79th street; a reportedly tight-knit community of working class individuals that looked out for another at all times, they know their neighbors and all the children very well.
As the sun was rising on Sunday April 19th, Elkins made his first stop to his girlfriend’s house and shot her multiple times. He then made his way to the home of where his wife and children reside a little before 6:00am and ‘shot his wife in the face’ and then ‘his children’ and ‘one of their cousins’ who was sleeping alongside them in the bedrooms. An older cousin managed to escape to the roof of the house but he too was shot and is said to be alive.
Louisiana Police Chief, Chris Bordelon says his officers walked into was scene that was ” disgusting and evil “. Shreveport, LA Mayor: Tom Arceneaux says “ this is the most tragic incident that the county has ever witnessed “.
The Caddo Parish Coroner identified the victims as Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layala Pugh 7; MarkaydonPugh, 10; Sariah Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5.
“More than 3,000 Domestic Violence Cases Were Reported in 2025 And While Crime Overall Stats Have Dropped, There Has Been An Increase In Domestic Violence In Cedar Grove, Shreveport Lousiana ” – KP
Only one major ‘red flag’ had come to mind to police officers who end up killing Elkins after a high car speed chase was that of the year of 2019. Shamar was arrested for firing off a gun at a high school. Elkins plead guilty, and he received probation as a result.
While it may have been an incident swept under the rug, what was very present and clear was Shamar Elkins mental health and well being was fragile and dangerous, and if he was still residing in the community of Cedar Grove his actions should not have been overlooked so easily nor for him to be seen as the man he was before he returned home from his service.
Louisiana Police have confirmed that there are two women fighting for their lives in the hospital at this time and due to the sensitivity in this case no further details can be issued at this time.
In the words of Reverend James Green this is also moment of our humanity and hope and people must come together to pray and work towards a togetherness to better the outcomes of such tragedy. Our hearts and prayers goes to all of the family and friends impacted by this heartbreaking calamity.
One Love PLUMS!
