Shreveport neighbors described hearing a "full-blown shootout" early Sunday as authorities say a father shot eight children and two women in what police described as an execution-style massacre before dying during a police pursuit.
Background
The shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood in Shreveport, Louisiana. Police identified the suspected gunman as Shamar Elkins, who fled law enforcement in a stolen vehicle after carrying out the shooting. Officers chased him and opened fire, resulting in his death.
According to authorities, the domestic dispute began at around 5 a.m. when Elkins initially shot one woman in the face during an argument. He then traveled to a different residence in the area where he shot all eight people who were killed.
Police described the shooting as execution-style, saying the gunman targeted victims as they attempted to escape through a window. The coroner's office identified the children killed as: Jayla Elkins, age 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Markaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5. Both women shot were mothers of the gunman's children, including his wife.
The massacre marks the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years. A relative told The Associated Press that Elkins and his wife had been arguing about their separation ahead of a scheduled court appearance Monday.
The Investigation
Shreveport Police said Elkins shot 10 people total, including two women. He died after officers chased him and opened fire.
Two witnesses, Jacob and Tiffany Castleman, told CBS affiliate KSLA they witnessed the chaos outside their home. Tiffany said she woke her husband after hearing sirens and what she believed was possible gunfire.
"And then when I heard the barrage, I knew that there was a full-blown shootout, something going," she told the station. "Mind you, we had no clue the later incidents that happened, but I had just full terror."
Jacob said his first thought was "there's no way that that just happened behind our house." He described the scene as "chaos" — something he had never experienced before. He recalled hearing more gunfire seemingly close to where he and his wife had been sleeping, and when they went outside, he saw police officers with guns drawn shouting for the suspect to put his hands up.
Liza Demming, a neighbor who lives two houses down from the residence where most victims were shot, told The Associated Press that her security camera captured video of the gunman running away and the sounds of two shots. She later saw a child's covered body on the roof of the residence.
Key Takeaways
- Eight children and two women were shot in Shreveport, Louisiana; all eight children died
- Suspected gunman Shamar Elkins died after police chase and officers opened fire
- Children killed ranged in age from 3 to 11; victims included Jayla, Shayla, Kayla, Layla, Markaydon, Sariahh, Khedarrion and Braylon
- Shooting began during domestic dispute around 5 a.m.; Elkins initially shot one woman in the face
- Police described attacks as execution-style; victims targeted as they tried to escape through window
- Elkins and wife had been arguing about separation ahead of scheduled court appearance Monday
- Mass shooting is nation's deadliest in more than two years
What's Next
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The case involves multiple agencies as police piece together the timeline of events from the initial domestic dispute through the mass shooting and subsequent chase. No further court appearances have been scheduled as of yet.