Suspect killed in police pursuit after Shreveport mass shooting
Suspect Shamar Elkins was killed in police pursuit after the Shreveport mass shooting.
Event / Security
Shreveport Mass Shooting Louisiana
A mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana on April 19, 2026 killed eight children aged 1 to 14 years old and injured two others across three separate locations. The suspect, believed to be related to some or all victims, was fatally shot by police during a pursuit into Bossier Parish. This was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since January 2024.
4 reported locations
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 20 Apr, 00:07 UTC
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What happened
Nearly 15,000 firearm deaths recorded in the United States in 2025
According to Gun Violence Archive, approximately 15,000 people were killed by firearms in the United States in 2025, excluding suicides. The US has more firearms in circulation than residents and exhibits the highest firearm mortality rate among all developed countries.
Eight children killed in shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana
Eight children aged 3 to 11 years old were fatally shot in Shreveport, Louisiana on Sunday, April 18, 2026. Three boys and five girls were killed across multiple locations. Seven of the eight victims were children of the suspected shooter, and one was a cousin. The shooting occurred in two distinct residences with a third location involved in the investigation.
Two women critically wounded in family violence shooting in Shreveport
Two women were critically wounded by gunfire in the shooting incident in Shreveport. At least one was the mother of several of the children killed. One woman, shot in the lower face, alerted a neighbor who called emergency services between 5:00 and 5:30 AM local time. Both women were described as relatives of the suspected shooter.
Shamar Elkins had prior arrest for weapons possession in 2019
Shamar Elkins had been arrested in 2019 for weapons possession and pleaded guilty to the charge. However, authorities indicated they had no knowledge of any prior incidents of domestic violence or family violence involving Elkins before this shooting.
Suspect Shamar Elkins identified and killed by police after vehicle pursuit
Shamar Elkins, 31 years old, was identified as the suspected shooter. After fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle, he was pursued by law enforcement. During the chase, Elkins exited the vehicle armed with a gun, and police officers were forced to neutralize him. No police officers were injured in the confrontation.
Shreveport shooting is deadliest mass shooting in the US since January 2024
According to data from Gun Violence Archive, this shooting resulted in the deadliest mass shooting toll in the United States since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024. Prior to this incident, the Uvalde, Texas school shooting in 2022 had shocked the country when an 18-year-old killed two teachers and 19 children in an elementary school.
Gunman dies during police pursuit in Shreveport
The gunman, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, died after a police pursuit that ended with officers firing on him. Elkins had carjacked a vehicle and fled the scene before being pursued and shot by police.
Man kills eight children in Shreveport, Louisiana shooting
A 31-year-old man named Shamar Elkins killed eight children aged 3 to 11 years old in Shreveport, Louisiana on Sunday morning. Seven of the eight children were his own biological children. The children were identified as 3-year-old Jayla Elkins, 5-year-old Shayla Elkins, 6-year-old Kayla Pugh, 7-year-old Layla Pugh, 10-year-old Markaydon Pugh, 11-year-old Sariahh Snow, 6-year-old Khedarrion Snow, and 5-year-old Braylon Snow. Seven children were killed inside one house, and one child was found dead on the roof after apparently trying to escape.
Two women shot and critically wounded in Shreveport incident
Two women were shot and critically wounded in the shooting. One of the women was the gunman's wife and mother of some of his children. The other woman was the mother of three of the gunman's children and lived nearby. Both women were expected to survive their wounds.
Gunman and wife were in middle of separation with court date scheduled
The gunman, Shamar Elkins, and his wife were in the middle of separating and were due in court on Monday. Family members reported that the couple had been arguing about the separation before the shooting occurred.
Gunman had prior firearms arrest in 2019
Shamar Elkins had been arrested in a 2019 firearms case. Police were familiar with him, though officials said they were not aware of any other domestic violence issues prior to the shooting.
Shooting is deadliest mass shooting in U.S. in more than two years
The shooting in Shreveport was the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since January 2024, when eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb. According to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University, this incident ranks among the nation's deadliest mass shootings in recent years.
Gunman previously served in Louisiana Army National Guard
Shamar Elkins previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for seven years. He never deployed and left the Army as a private in 2020.
Louisiana State Police to investigate circumstances of suspect's death
Louisiana State Police detectives were asked by Shreveport police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the suspect's death, as the shooting involved a police officer. State police confirmed that no officers were harmed during the incident.
Two additional people injured in Louisiana mass shooting
In addition to the eight children killed, two other people were injured in the mass shooting across the three crime scenes in Shreveport. Some of the injured were hospitalized for treatment, though officials did not provide updates on their conditions.
Shreveport mass shooting is deadliest in U.S. since January 2024
The Shreveport mass shooting with eight children killed is the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
Eight children killed in mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana
Eight children ranging in age from 1 to 14 years old were killed in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana on April 19, 2026. The shooting occurred just after 6 a.m. CT in the 300 block of West 79th Street in the Cedar Grove residential neighborhood. A total of 10 people were shot across multiple locations including three separate crime scenes. Police believe the suspect was related to some or all of the victims.
Police fatally shoot suspect during vehicle chase in Bossier Parish
The suspect fled the shooting scenes on foot and carjacked a vehicle near the corner of West 79th and Lynnwood. Shreveport police officers pursued the vehicle into Bossier Parish, where officers fired upon the vehicle and fatally shot the suspect. The suspect was the sole person who fired shots during the incident, which police characterized as a domestic disturbance.
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2 alternative perspectives
Shooter had 2019 weapons arrest on record before Shreveport attack
Shooter had prior 2019 weapons arrest on Louisiana record.
Suspect had prior arrest, military background, marital troubles
Suspect had prior firearms arrest, military service, and active marital separation proceedings.
Eight children killed, two wounded in Shreveport shooting; gunman dies in police pursuit
Shreveport shooting kills eight children, two wounded; gunman dies in police pursuit.
Eight children killed in Louisiana shooting; deadliest since January 2024
Eight children killed in Shreveport shooting; deadliest in U.S. since January 2024.