Shreveport Community Gathers for Funeral of Eight Children Killed in Mass Shooting

Faith leaders, local officials, and community members gathered Saturday at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport to honor eight children killed in an April 19 mass shooting. The victims, who ranged in age from 3 to 11, included seven siblings and their cousin. The service, held during Mother’s Day weekend, featured a procession past eight white caskets adorned with gold crowns and photographs of the children.

The children were identified in funeral tributes as 3-year-old Jayla Elkins , 6-year-old Kayla Pugh , 10-year-old Mar’Kaydon Pugh , 6-year-old Khedarrion Snow , and 7-year-old Layla Pugh . Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry offered condolences, with Landry ordering flags to be flown at half-staff across the state. Former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords was also among those in attendance to support the grieving family.

According to authorities, the children were killed by their father, Shamar Elkins , who used an assault-style weapon despite a 2019 felony firearms conviction. The shooting occurred across two homes and also left Elkins’ wife and another woman wounded. Elkins died following a police pursuit; however, investigators have not yet determined if he died from a self-inflicted wound or from shots fired by officers.

The investigation into the incident, which officials described as the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in more than two years, remains ongoing. Following the church service, mourners were transported to a graveside burial as the community continues to process the loss.