Shannon Kelly ’26

by Shannon Kelly ’26 on April 23, 2026

On Sunday, April 19, a shocking act of violence occurred in Shreveport, LA. In a place known for its rich culture and southern hospitality, this mass shooting came as a devastating shock to the community. A gunman named Shamar Elkins killed eight children—including seven of his own—and injured two others early Sunday morning. He previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013–2020. This was the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since January of 2024, though there have been at least 114 mass shootings this year. 

The victims ranged from three to 12 years old. The children’s names were Jayla Elkins, Shalya Elkins, Kayla Pugh, Layla Pugh, Markaydon Pugh, Sariahh Snow, Khedarrion Snow, and Braylon Snow. The mother of Elkin’s children, as well as another woman, were also shot, but survived with serious injuries. 

The motivation for the killings remains unknown and many people are left wondering what could have caused this tragedy to occur. Elkins and his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, were in the middle of separating and were arguing with one another before the shooting. The gunman is reported to have been struggling with his mental health, having recently expressing suicidal thoughts. On Easter Sunday, he reportedly told his mother and stepfather that he “wanted to take his own life.” 

Shamar Elkins carjacked a vehicle and led the police on a chase before they fatally shot him. The Shreveport police chief, Wayne Smith, stated, “I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback.” Mayor of Shreveport, Tom Arceneaux, referred to the shooting as “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had.” Arceneaux also stated, “There are no words that can make sense of it, and no distance that shields us from it. We must not ignore the deeper issues—violence in the home, untreated trauma, and the silence that allows both to grow.” Many people, including City Council Member of Shreveport Tabatha Taylor, have been calling on the community to make resources more available to those who are struggling with their mental health. 

Just three days before the shooting in Shreveport, former Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax killed his wife and then took his own life with their children present in their home. Mass shootings and gun violence more generally reflect a deeply troubling trajectory and reality for our country as well as the victims, community members, and families affected.