United States: Former soldier, argument with his wife… What we know about the man who killed 7 children and his nephew

A father killed his seven children, as well as his nephew, after arguing with his wife, from whom he was in the process of divorcing, on Sunday, April 19, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The United States has once again been struck at its heart by a so-called "domestic" shooting. On Sunday, April 19, around 6:00 a.m., police in Shreveport, Louisiana, were called to a home in the Cedar Grove neighborhood for reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, investigators discovered three crime scenes, one of them "particularly gruesome," in three neighboring houses, and eight children killed by gunfire in what has been described as a "family massacre."

Police immediately pursued the shooter, Shamar Elkins, the father of seven of the deceased children, who was eventually killed during the chase. His victims were identified by their mothers 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. They were a family of seven children and their cousin. Seven were killed in the same house, and the last was killed in a garden while trying to escape after climbing onto the roof.

At least two adults were also injured in the incident, police told ABC News. They are believed to be the children's mothers. Another child jumped from the roof but is expected to survive. He remains hospitalized.

In the process of getting a divorce

According to the American press, Shamar Elkins served for seven years in the Louisiana Army National Guard but was never deployed and left the military in 2020 with the rank of private. Before the shooting, he posted a photo of himself and his seven children on Facebook. According to a spokesperson for the Shreveport Police Department speaking to NBC News, most of the victims were shot in the head while they slept. They were described by their aunt as "happy, very friendly, and very kind children." The Associated Press reports that Shamar Elkins was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, April 20, for divorce proceedings with his second wife. The shooting reportedly occurred during an argument between the parents.