Trending Now - Tragic Louisiana Shooting Claims Lives of Eight Children, Seven Related

WHO:

ABC News - The shooter, Shamar Elkins, was identified as the father of seven of the eight children killed.

NBC News - The two women shot included Elkins' wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, and another woman believed to be the mother of the eighth child killed.

ABC News - The shooter, Shamar Elkins, was identified as an Army veteran who served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for seven years, from August 2013 to August 2020.

NBC News - The shooter also shot his wife and another woman, both of whom survived.

ABC7 Chicago - The shooter, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, had been married to Shaneiqua Pugh for about two years.

ABC7 Chicago - The victims included three boys and five girls, aged from 3 to 11 years old.

CNN - The victims were identified as 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, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office.

CNN - The shooter, Shamar Elkins, had prior criminal convictions, including illegal use of weapons and driving while intoxicated.

NY Post - The shooter has been identified as Shamar Elkins, who killed seven of his children and another child during the incident.

Boston.com News - One of the adults wounded was the mother of some of the suspect's children.

NY Post - The shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, who killed seven of his children and another child during the incident.

Boston.com News - One of the adults wounded was the mother of some of the suspect's children.

CNN - Shreveport Police Cpl. Chris Bordelon stated, "The vehicle was chased into Bossier Parish, and at which point in time, Shreveport police officers did discharge their firearm, and that individual is deceased."

CNN - Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said, "I want to let the community know that all of my resources are out here, processing every piece of evidence and everything, and at some time in the near future, we’ll be able to give more conclusive information about exactly what took place."

CNN - The victims were eight children aged 1 to 14 years old.

CNN - The suspected shooter is believed to be related to at least some of the victims.

CNN - Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith commented on the situation.

CNN - Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the incident as tragic.

CNN - House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed condolences for the victims and their families.

WHAT:

CNN - The shooting resulted in the deaths of eight children, seven of whom were Elkins' own, and critically injured two women.

The Guardian - The shooting is described as the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since January 2024, with a total of 10 people shot in the incident.

CNN - The shooting is described as the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since January 2024.

The Guardian - A total of 10 people were shot in the incident, including eight children and two women.

ABC7 Chicago - The shooting was described as the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in over two years.

ABC7 Chicago - The children were identified as 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.

CNN - The shooting is the deadliest in the U.S. since January 2024.

CNN - A total of 10 people were shot in the incident, including eight children and two women.

NY Post - All eight victims included five girls and three boys, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office.

NY Post - The children were formally identified by their mothers, according to a news release from the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office.

NY Post - All eight victims included five girls and three boys, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office.

CNN - The Louisiana State Police are investigating the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the suspect's death, and no officers were injured during the incident.

CNN - A total of 114 mass shootings have occurred in the United States in 2026, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

CNN - The Louisiana State Police are investigating the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the suspect's death.

CNN - Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith stated, "This is a very large scene with multiple deceased children present."

The Guardian - Two women were reportedly shot in the head but survived, and a young boy was injured while jumping from a roof during the incident.

The Guardian - Police suggested there were at least four separate but nearby scenes involved in the shooting.

CNN - Eight children were shot and killed, and two others were wounded in a domestic disturbance.

CNN - A total of 10 people were shot in the incident.

CNN - The shooter was shot and killed by Shreveport officers after a brief chase.

ABC News - The incident is described as a domestic violence incident.

WHERE:

CNN - The shooting occurred in the Cedar Grove community of Shreveport, Louisiana, specifically in the 300 block of West 79th Street.

CNN - The shooting occurred in south Shreveport, Louisiana, specifically in the Cedar Grove community.

CNN - Victims were found in two homes along West 79th Street and a third home on nearby Harrison Street.

WHEN:

ABC News - The shooting occurred on April 17th, 2026, just after 6 a.m. CT.

ABC7 Chicago - The shooting occurred on April 17th, 2026, just after 6 a.m. CT.

The Guardian - The shooting occurred on April 17th, 2026, just after 6 a.m. CT.

CNN - The shooting occurred on Sunday, April 17th, 2026, just after 6 a.m. CT.

The Guardian - Heading into April 17th, 2026, there had been at least six mass murders across the U.S. in 2026, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

CNN - The shooting occurred early on Sunday, April 17th, 2026, just after 6 a.m. CT.

WHY:

ABC7 Chicago - Elkins and his wife were due in court on April 18th, 2026, regarding their separation.

ABC7 Chicago - Shamar Elkins and his wife were due in court on April 18th, 2026, regarding their separation.

ABC7 Chicago - Shamar Elkins and his wife were in the process of separating and were due in court on April 18th, 2026.

CNN - Investigators believe the motive for the shooting was related to domestic issues, as Elkins had called family members expressing distress over his relationship with his wife.

The Guardian - Investigators indicated that the motive appeared to be domestic in nature, but did not provide further details.

The Guardian - Investigators did not discuss a possible motive for the killings but indicated it appeared to be domestic in nature.

CNN - Authorities are calling the incident a domestic disturbance.

HOW:

CNN - Elkins shot his wife at a residence on Harrison Street before moving to another home on West 79th Street where he shot the eight children.

CNN - The suspect carjacked a vehicle and led police on a chase into Bossier Parish before being shot and killed by officers.

ABC7 Chicago - The violence began when Elkins shot a woman at one home before moving to another location where he killed the children.

CNN - Elkins carjacked a vehicle and led police on a chase into Bossier Parish before being shot and killed by officers.

The Guardian - The violence involved at least four separate but nearby scenes during the shooting incident.

CNN - The suspect carjacked a vehicle and led police on a chase into Bossier Parish before being shot by officers.

The Guardian - The investigation into the shooting scene is ongoing, with police stating it is a "very large scene with four … specific locations."

CNN - The suspect carjacked a vehicle and led police on a chase into Bossier Parish.

CNN - Shreveport police officers discharged their firearms during the chase, resulting in the suspect's death.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 17:18 UTC)

on Friday, just after 6 a.m. CT, a tragic shooting occurred in which eight children were killed, seven of whom were the children of Shamar Elkins, who has been identified as the shooter. The incident also critically injured two women, including Elkins' wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, and another woman believed to be the mother of the eighth child killed, making this the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since January 20th24. Elkins and his wife were scheduled to appear in court on Saturday regarding their separation prior to this devastating event.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 15:19 UTC)

The shooting on Friday, is being described as the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since January 20th24, with a total of 10 people shot, including eight children and two women. The shooter, identified as Shamar Elkins, an Army veteran who served in the Louisiana Army National Guard, also shot his wife and another woman, both of whom survived, and was reportedly facing a court date regarding his separation from his wife. After carjacking a vehicle, Elkins led police on a chase into Bossier Parish before being shot and killed by officers.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 11:18 UTC)

on Friday, just after 6 a.m. CT, a tragic shooting occurred, marking the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in over two years, with the shooter identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins. The victims included three boys and five girls, aged from 3 to 11 years old, and they were identified as Jayla Elkins, Shayla Elkins, Kayla Pugh, Layla Pugh, Markaydon Pugh, Sariahh Snow, Khedarrion Snow, and Braylon Snow. Elkins and his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, were in the process of separating and were scheduled to appear in court the following day when the violence began, starting with the shooting of a woman at one home before he moved to another location where he killed the children.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 09:31 UTC)

In a tragic incident that marks the deadliest shooting in the U.S. since January 20th24, eight children and two women were among the ten victims identified, including three-year-old Jayla Elkins and eleven-year-old Sariahh Snow, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office. The shooter, Shamar Elkins, who had a history of criminal convictions, reportedly expressed distress over domestic issues before the attack, which began with him carjacking a vehicle and leading police on a chase into Bossier Parish. The situation ended when officers shot and killed Elkins during the pursuit.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 07:31 UTC)

The shooter has been identified as Shamar Elkins, who tragically killed seven of his children and another child during a violent incident on Friday, just after 6 a.m. Central Time. All eight victims included five girls and three boys, and they were formally identified by their mothers, according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office. The violence unfolded across at least four separate but nearby scenes, leaving one adult wounded, who is the mother of some of the suspect's children.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 04:02 UTC)

The shooter has been identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, who killed seven of his children and another child during a tragic incident on Friday, just after 6 a.m. Central Time. All eight victims included five girls and three boys, and one of the adults wounded was the mother of some of the suspect's children. Investigators have indicated that the motive appears to be domestic in nature, although further details have not been provided.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 01:19 UTC)

In a developing story from Louisiana, Shreveport Police Corporal Chris Bordelon confirmed that a suspect was shot and killed following a carjacking and a chase into Bossier Parish. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith assured the community that all resources are being utilized to process evidence and that more details will be released soon. The Louisiana State Police are now investigating the incident, which resulted in the suspect's death, with no officers reported injured.

(UPDATED April 19, 2026 23:04 UTC)

In a tragic incident on Friday, just after 6 a.m. CT, multiple children were found deceased at a shooting scene in the Cedar Grove community of Shreveport, Louisiana. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith described the situation as a "very large scene" as the Louisiana State Police began investigating the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the suspect's death. This incident marks one of the 114 mass shootings that have occurred in the United States this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

(UPDATED April 19, 2026 21:04 UTC)

on Friday, two women were reportedly shot in the head but survived, while a young boy was injured after jumping from a roof during the incident, which involved at least four separate but nearby scenes according to police. Heading into that date, there had already been at least six mass murders across the U.S. this year, as noted by the Gun Violence Archive, and while investigators have not discussed a possible motive, they suggested the situation appeared to be domestic in nature. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities describing the shooting scene as a "very large scene with four specific locations."

(UPDATED April 19, 2026 19:11 UTC)

In a tragic incident early on Sunday morning, on Friday, eight children aged 1 to 14 were shot and killed in a domestic disturbance in south Shreveport, Louisiana. The shooting took place in the Cedar Grove community, with victims found in two homes along West 79th Street and a third on nearby Harrison Street. Authorities believe the suspected shooter, who was killed by police after a brief chase, is related to at least some of the victims. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith addressed the situation, while Mayor Tom Arceneaux described the event as heartbreaking, and House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed condolences for the victims and their families. The suspect reportedly carjacked a vehicle before leading officers on a chase into Bossier Parish, during which police discharged their firearms.