Woman and child jumped off roof to escape deadly Louisiana shooting
A woman and a child were forced to leap from a rooftop in a desperate attempt to escape a deadly mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, where authorities say a father killed eight children — seven of them his own.
Police responded to emergency calls at around 05:55 local time on Sunday, after a caller reported being trapped on top of a house while the gunman remained inside. Within minutes, the caller informed officers that she and her children had managed to flee from the roof and reach the backyard.
Authorities have not released the identities of the two survivors or clarified their relationship to the suspect but confirmed both are in stable condition. Another child was hospitalized after also jumping from the roof while trying to escape.
The suspect later died following an exchange of gunfire with police. Investigators have not yet determined whether he was killed by officers or died by suicide.
Two adult women, including the children’s mother, were also wounded in the attack and are recovering in hospital, officials said.
Among the victims were eight children — siblings and a cousin — ranging in age from three to eleven. According to the Caddo Parish coroner, the victims included three boys and five girls. Authorities identified them 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).
As the situation unfolded, police said the suspect moved to a second home, where another emergency call reported that a woman had been shot by her boyfriend, who then fled with three children. Shortly afterward, officers received reports of a carjacking, raising fears that the abducted children might be inside the vehicle.
At approximately 06:29, officers located the suspect and exchanged gunfire. He was later found dead at the scene, and no children were discovered in the vehicle.
Investigators have yet to confirm a motive, though Police Chief Wayne Smith indicated early evidence suggests the violence stemmed from a domestic dispute. The weapon used was described as an “assault-style” firearm, and its origin remains under investigation.
The suspect, identified as Shamar Elkins, had a prior criminal record, though authorities have not released further details. Reports indicate he previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020.
Residents described scenes of terror as the violence unfolded. Neighbours Jacob and Tiffany Castleman said they heard a barrage of gunfire during the confrontation between police and the suspect.
“I knew something serious was happening — it was terrifying,” Tiffany said, adding that they only later learned the full extent of the tragedy.
Another neighbour, Fred Montgomery, said the incident was especially shocking given how normal things appeared just hours earlier.
“The children were playing outside like any other day,” he said. “Then this morning, everything changed.”
Local officials have called for stronger efforts to address domestic violence in the wake of the tragedy. Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn noted that a domestic violence centre had opened in the city just days before the shooting.
“None of us could have imagined such a devastating event would follow so soon,” he said.
Authorities also confirmed the suspect was reportedly going through a divorce and had been scheduled to appear in court on Monday. The investigation remains ongoing.
