Trending Now - Louisiana Mothers Reflect on Loss Amid Violence This Mother's Day
WHO:
CNN - Keosha Pugh, sister of Shaneiqua Pugh, was injured after jumping from a roof with her daughter while fleeing the gunfire, resulting in a shattered pelvis and hip.
CNN - Dollie Sims, a mourner, had met the children through community programs and expressed her devastation over their deaths.
CNN - Three Louisiana mothers grieving the deaths of their children: Christina Snow, Keosha Pugh, and Shaneiqua Pugh.
CNN - The children killed were Jayla Elkins (3), Shayla Elkins (5), Kayla Pugh (6), Layla Pugh (7), Mar’Kaydon Pugh (10), Sariahh Snow (11), Khedarrion Snow (6), and Braylon Snow (5).
CNN - The gunman identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins.
CNN - Congressman Cleo Fields spoke at the funeral.
WHAT:
CNN - Eight white doves were released into the sky during the funeral service, symbolizing the eight children lost.
CNN - A makeshift memorial was created with eight crosses and toys left for the children, including stuffed animals and dolls.
CNN - Eight children were killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, marking the nation’s deadliest mass shooting in over two years.
CNN - The shooting occurred on April 19.
CNN - The children are collectively referred to as the “Eternal 8.”
CNN - Two of the mothers were seriously wounded during the shooting.
CNN - The funeral service was attended by hundreds, with attendees lining up to pay respects.
WHERE:
CNN - The shooting took place in Shreveport, Louisiana.
CNN - The funeral was held in a church hall in Shreveport.
CNN - The main road leading to the Cedar Grove house where the children were killed is under construction.
WHEN:
CNN - The funeral service was held on a Saturday following the shooting, with attendees carrying flowers and young children.
CNN - The funeral service occurred on a Saturday following the shooting.
CNN - The shooting took place on April 19.
WHY:
CNN - Dollie Sims stated that the tragedy should open the eyes of Shreveport and Louisiana about the seriousness of gun violence and the need for advocacy and support for families affected by it.
CNN - The shooting was described as “domestic in nature” by Shreveport Police.
CNN - The tragedy highlights the intersection of a mental health crisis and gun violence in America.
HOW:
CNN - The gunman used a firearm to carry out the shooting.
CNN - Some children attempted to escape out the back during the shooting, as indicated by bullet holes in the back door of the home.
(UPDATED May 10, 2026 17:12 UTC)
In a heartbreaking scene, Keosha Pugh was injured after jumping from a roof with her daughter to escape gunfire, suffering a shattered pelvis and hip. During a funeral service held on a Saturday, eight white doves were released to honor the eight children lost, while a makeshift memorial featuring eight crosses and toys was created to remember them. Dollie Sims, a mourner who knew the children through community programs, emphasized that this tragedy should raise awareness in Shreveport and Louisiana about the urgent need to address gun violence and support affected families.
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(UPDATED May 10, 2026 15:16 UTC)
In a tragic mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, eight children, collectively known as the "Eternal 8," lost their lives, marking the deadliest incident of its kind in over two years. The gunman, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, left behind grieving mothers Christina Snow and Keosha Pugh, who were also seriously wounded during the attack. Hundreds attended the funeral service, held in a church hall, to pay their respects to the young victims, whose ages ranged from just three to eleven years old.