Shamar Elkins first shot wife Shaneiqua Pugh, mother of four of his children, in Shreveport massacre

SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA: A devastating shooting in Shreveport has left a community shaken, with authorities confirming key details about the victims and the suspect’s troubled personal life. 

Authorities, on Monday, identified Shaneiqua Pugh as one of the victims of the violent incident that unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, April 19.

The case has drawn widespread attention not just because of the number of victims, but also due to the circumstances leading up to the tragedy. Officials say the suspect, Shamar Elkins, was dealing with a difficult separation and had a court date scheduled for Monday related to their divorce.

Shaneiqua Pugh identified among victims in Shreveport shooting

Police confirmed that Shaneiqua Pugh, 34, the wife of Shamar Elkins, was one of the two women shot during the incident. Pugh and Elkins shared four children, all of whom were among the eight children who died in the shooting. The couple reportedly married in 2024. 

Authorities said another woman, the mother of three of Elkins’ children, was also injured. Both women were reported to be in critical condition and receiving treatment.

Christopher Bordelon, a spokesperson for Shreveport Police, said that Pugh was the first person shot during the incident.

He explained that the situation stemmed from a domestic dispute connected to the couple’s separation, which was set to be addressed in court on Monday.

Bordelon described Pugh’s condition as involving “life-threatening” injuries, while the other woman was also seriously wounded.

Eight children identified by coroner’s office

Authorities also released the names of the eight children who were fatally shot in the incident.

The Caddo Parish coroner’s office identified them as Jayla Elkins, 3, Shayla Elkins, 5, Kayla Pugh, 6, Layla Pugh, 6, Markaydon Pugh, 10, Sariahh Snow, 11, Khedarrion Snow, 6, and Braylon Snow, 5.

Police said seven of the children were Elkins’ own, while another was connected through family ties.

The loss has left a deep impact on the community, as more details continue to emerge about the families involved.

911 calls reveal a desperate attempt to escape

Officials shared that Pugh made two emergency calls during the incident. According to Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith, she first called 911 when Elkins entered the home on Sunday morning and began shooting.

In a second call, she reported trying to escape with one of her children. They attempted to get out through the roof and reach the backyard.

“One minute later, the caller advised that she and her children had fled from the roof and were now in the backyard; 6:01 am officers arrived on the scene,” Smith said.

These details have highlighted the desperate efforts made in the moments before officers reached the location.

Family reveals warning signs before shooting

Following the identification of Elkins as the suspect, his family has spoken about his mental state leading up to the incident.

The 31-year-old was reportedly struggling with the breakdown of his marriage.

Elkins’ mother and stepfather told The New York Times that he had been dealing with “dark thoughts” in the days before the shooting.

His stepfather, Marcus Jackson, recalled a conversation that now feels especially troubling.

“I told him, ‘You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it,” Jackson said. “Then I remember him telling me: ‘Some people don’t come back from their demons.’”

Family members also noted that Elkins had shared multiple Facebook posts suggesting he was not coping well with the separation.

Authorities confirmed that Elkins was shot and killed by deputies following a chase into neighboring Bossier Paris.