What began as an ordinary family image has now turned into one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking cases in Louisiana — a story where social media posts, private struggles, and a devastating act of violence collide in the worst possible way.

On April 19, the United States experienced its deadliest mass shooting since 2024.

A man later identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins allegedly fatally shot eight children — seven of them his own — at three separate homes in Shreveport, Louisiana, early Sunday morning.

The victims, ranging in age from three to 11, were identified as Jayla Elkins, Shayla Elkins, Kayla Pugh, Layla Pugh, Markaydon Pugh, Sariahh Snow, Khedarrion Snow, and Braylon Snow.

Authorities also said a 13-year-old boy escaped by jumping from a roof and survived with serious injuries. Two women were also wounded, including Shamar’s wife, who was shot in the face but is expected to survive.

In the hours before the tragedy, there were no public warnings of what was about to unfold. From the outside, it looked like an everyday family life; photos, anniversary posts, and routine moments shared online that now feel haunting in hindsight.

Police said the violence began at one home and continued across multiple locations, eventually leading to a chase that ended in Bossier City, where Shamar was fatally shot. Investigators are still determining whether his death came from police fire or a self-inflicted wound. No clear motive has been confirmed.

Before the incident, Shamar Elkins appeared to many as a working father with a family-centered life. Public posts showed children, milestones, and everyday moments that suggested stability.

“You could see in his eyes”

He previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020. Records also show a 2019 conviction involving illegal firearm use, which may have affected his legal ability to own a weapon.

Neighbors told reporters they had little interaction with the family but saw nothing unusual in daily life. Some community members said the tragedy came as a complete shock.

Neighbor Fred Montgomery, who lives across from the home where the shooting took place, told CBS News he saw no warning signs beforehand.

“The kids played in the yard every evening,” Montgomery said. “Yesterday evening, he was sitting on the porch, I waved at him, he waved back, the children were in the yard … and then this morning we woke up to all of this.”

However, other witnesses have offered a very different impression of the suspect.

Lashuan Berry, who owns the Valley of Hope Center for Kids daycare and knew both Elkins and his family, told KSLA that he sometimes appeared emotionally vacant.

“You could see in his eyes, nothing behind the eyes. Dead behind the eyes,” Berry said. “No soul. NPC, non-player character. He didn’t have one.”

Family posts that now feel unthinkable

On social media, Shamar’s wife once marked their relationship in a 2025 anniversary post, writing:

“Happy 1st anniversary to us….. I thank you for everything that you did for me today I enjoyed every moment of it….. ❤️😍 Shamar Elkins ten long years and four beautiful girls. 😭😭🤣 what a time we had….. [sic].”

A Father’s Day post from 2023 showed him surrounded by children, with the caption: “Happy father’s Day 💐…. you got to spend time with all of your kids and you enjoyed every moment of it….🥰 [sic].”

Those images now sit in stark contrast to what investigators say happened behind closed doors.

Private struggles emerging

According to The New York Times, family members later said Shamar had been struggling with mental health issues and was haunted by ”dark thoughts” in the days before the tragedy.

Relatives recalled a phone call in which he spoke about personal distress, including marital problems and emotional turmoil. One family member remembered him saying: “Some people don’t come back from their demons.”

Authorities have not confirmed whether these struggles played a direct role in what followed, but they remain part of the wider picture being examined.

In one of his final social media posts, Shamar shared what appeared to be a lighthearted moment with his daughter, writing:

“Lol!!!! Took my oldest on a lil 1 on 1 date had to catch her down bad ugh ugh……..”

He also shared a post about prayer earlier in the month that read:
“Dear God, Today I ask you to help me guard my mind and my emotions.”

Shortly before the incident, his mother reportedly sent him a message:
“I love y’all. Give my grandson and my granddaughters a kiss from grandma. Thanks so much.”

He never replied.

”Braylon is not here”

Local officials have described the case as one of the most devastating tragedies the city has ever seen. Authorities and community leaders continue to emphasize the scale of the loss and the impact on families and neighbors.

“This is the result when someone snaps,” one city official said, reflecting the shock and grief felt across the community.

In Shreveport, Louisiana, classrooms have now been left marked by silence and absence, as the impact of the tragedy continues to be felt most deeply among the youngest students and their teachers.

Angela Hall, a preschool teacher, begins each day by gathering her students in a circle. They laugh, share stories, and take attendance together, carefully noticing who is not there.

“Braylon, he’s not here,” she recalled one of her students saying Monday.

Braylon Snow, who had just turned five, was one of seven siblings killed in Sunday’s shooting carried out by their father.