Shamar Elkin’s 4-word message to his mom days before he took the lives of eight children

What began as an ordinary family image has now turned into one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking cases in Louisiana — a story where social media posts, private struggles, and a devastating act of violence collide in the worst possible way.

On April 19, the United States experienced its deadliest mass shooting since 2024.

A man later identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins allegedly fatally shot eight children — seven of them his own — at three separate homes in Shreveport, Louisiana, early Sunday morning.

The victims, ranging in age from three to 11, were identified as Jayla Elkins, Shayla Elkins, Kayla Pugh, Layla Pugh, Markaydon Pugh, Sariahh Snow, Khedarrion Snow, and Braylon Snow.

Authorities also said a 13-year-old boy escaped by jumping from a roof and survived with serious injuries. Two women were also wounded, including Shamar’s wife, who was shot in the face but is expected to survive.

In the hours before the tragedy, there were no public warnings of what was about to unfold. From the outside, it looked like an everyday family life; photos, anniversary posts, and routine moments shared online that now feel haunting in hindsight.

Police said the violence began at one home and continued across multiple locations, eventually leading to a chase that ended in Bossier City, where Shamar was fatally shot. Investigators are still determining whether his death came from police fire or a self-inflicted wound. No clear motive has been confirmed.

Before the incident, Shamar Elkins appeared to many as a working father with a family-centered life. Public posts showed children, milestones, and everyday moments that suggested stability.