Louisiana Mother Who Lost 3 Children in Shreveport Shooting Pleads: ‘Stop Spreading Rumors’

A Louisiana mother who lost three of her children in the deadly Shreveport shooting in April has urged the public to stop spreading rumors and turning “our tragedy into social media conversations.”

In the early hours of April 19, eight children, ranging in age from 3 to 11, were shot and killed by Shamar Elkins, 31, the father of seven of the children. Christina Snow was shot in the face, while Elkins’ current wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, was also injured in the domestic violence incident. Elkins was later shot and killed by police after attempting to flee.

In a Facebook post, Christina Snow said there are no words strong enough to describe the pain of losing three children. “A piece of me left with my children, and life will never be the same.”

“My heart, my mind, and my soul are carrying a grief that no mother should ever have to experience,” she wrote on May 13. “Right now, I am asking for privacy, prayers, and compassion as my family and I try to process an unimaginable loss.”

Snow added that she doesn’t have the strength to entertain negativity. “Every day has been extremely difficult, and while I appreciate the love and support being shown, I ask everyone to please understand that healing is not something that happens overnight,” she wrote.

“Please stop spreading rumors, reposting painful content, and turning our tragedy into social media conversations. These were real children with real lives, real dreams, and a family that loved them deeply.”

The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victims 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.

In an earlier post, Snow said the family was “exploring opportunities that would allow our story to be shared professionally and responsibly through the proper channels,” instead of through “social media chaos and exploitation.”

On April 19, Elkins, 31, first shot a woman on Harrison Street before traveling to a residence on West 79th Street, where the mass shooting was carried out.

After fleeing the scene, the suspect allegedly carjacked a man at gunpoint near the intersection of Linwood Avenue and West 79th Street, police said.

“Shortly after the carjacking, Shreveport Police Department DWI officers located the stolen vehicle and initiated a pursuit. The pursuit continued into Bossier Parish, where officers ultimately engaged the suspect,” a statement from the Shreveport Police Department said.

“Officers were forced to discharge their department-issued firearms, neutralizing the suspect, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Elkins previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for seven years until August 2020, according to the U.S. Army. He was not deployed.

The gunman’s family has said that Elkins was struggling with mental health issues. He was reportedly going through a divorce from his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, which took a toll on his mental health.

“He loved his kids, he loved his wife. I don’t know what happened. You don’t know what a person is going through,” his brother-in-law Troy Brown said.