Shamar Elkins’ chilling posts surface after Louisiana shooting leaves 8 children dead
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA: Details continue to emerge about Shamar Elkins, the 31-year-old Army veteran identified as the suspect in a mass shooting that left eight children dead in Shreveport on Sunday, April 19. Authorities said Elkins was fatally shot following a police chase after the incident.
Much of the information about Elkins has surfaced from his social media activity, particularly his Facebook profile, where he frequently shared updates about his personal life and family. Reports have also pointed to possible mental health struggles, though officials have not confirmed any such link to the shooting.
Mass shooting leaves eight dead
Elkins allegedly shot and killed eight children and injured two women, one critically, during the early morning incident, according to police. Authorities later confirmed that some of the children were his descendants, while the injured women were also related to him, though the exact relationships were not specified.
Following the shooting, Elkins fled the scene, leading to a police pursuit. He was later fatally shot, though officials have not clarified whether the gunshot that killed him was self-inflicted or fired by law enforcement. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux told CNN that the exact circumstances of his death remain under investigation.
Social media posts under scrutiny
Elkins’ recent social media activity has drawn attention in the aftermath of the tragedy. In a Facebook post dated April 9, he shared a prayer that read: “Dear God, Today I ask You to help me guard my mind and my emotions.”
“When negativity arises, remind me to say, ‘It does not belong to me, in the name of Jesus.’ When depression tries to settle in, when anger rises, when anxiety or panic comes, give me the awareness to recognize what is not from You and the strength to reject it immediately in the name of JESUS,” he added.
According to the New York Post, the post may suggest mental health struggles, though authorities have not confirmed whether Elkins was dealing with such issues or if they played any role in the incident.
Family posts and personal life
Elkins often shared photos and moments with his children on social media. Just hours before the shooting, he posted a picture from a visit to a burger restaurant with his eldest daughter. Days earlier, he had shared an image with his seven children, noting they had attended church together for Easter.
In another recent post, Elkins hinted at possible marital concerns, writing, “Dads, if you could go back in time and have kids with a different woman but still have the same kids, would you do it?” No further details about his personal life or relationships have been confirmed.
The investigation into the motive behind the shooting remains ongoing, with officials yet to establish a clear cause or contributing factors.
