Shocking news: After the bloody massacre, Shamar Elkins had one final destination on the death list. He sought out his former mentor — who had once been his guiding light in the military

In a final, horrifying twist to one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history, Shamar Elkins — the 31-year-old father who gunned down eight children, seven of them his own — took his own life on the doorstep of his former Army mentor’s home after a dramatic police chase. The suicide occurred in Bossier City, Louisiana, just minutes after the rampage that left a Shreveport neighborhood drenched in blood and an entire community reeling in disbelief. As investigators scramble to understand the “why” behind the unthinkable, new details reveal a man haunted by “dark thoughts,” a pending divorce, and a history of mental health struggles that culminated in one of the most shocking acts of familial violence the state has ever seen.

The massacre began in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, April 19, 2026, in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport. Elkins, armed with an assault-style pistol, unleashed a wave of terror that spanned at least three locations. He shot and killed eight children ranging in age from 3 to 11, including seven of his own. A ninth child survived by jumping from a rooftop in a desperate bid to escape. Two adult women were also gravely wounded, one of them Elkins’ estranged wife. The victims — 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) — were found in multiple homes, some still in their beds, others attempting to flee. The scene was described by first responders as one of pure horror: “blood and bodies everywhere.”

After the killings, Elkins fled in a carjacked vehicle, leading police on a high-speed chase that crossed into Bossier City. The pursuit ended when Elkins pulled up to the home of his former Army mentor and National Guard commander, Michael Mayence. According to a witness who spoke to local media, Elkins rang the doorbell, and when the mentor opened the door, the gunman raised the pistol to his own head and pulled the trigger. Police opened fire moments later, but the fatal shot was self-inflicted. Elkins was pronounced dead at the scene.

The choice of location for his suicide has left investigators and the public stunned. Why did Elkins drive to his mentor’s house to end his life? Family members and those close to the case say Elkins had been struggling with severe mental health issues in the weeks and months leading up to the tragedy. His mother, Mahelia Elkins, revealed that on Easter Sunday he had called her home, telling his stepfather that his wife had filed for divorce and that he was drowning in “dark thoughts” and suicidal ideation. He reportedly said, “Some people don’t come back from their demons,” before abruptly ending the call. In February, Elkins had attempted suicide and had been receiving counseling at a Veterans Affairs hospital.

Elkins had served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to 2020 as a signal support system specialist and fire support specialist. He had no combat deployments, but the pressures of military service, combined with personal troubles, appear to have taken a heavy toll. He also worked as a UPS driver and had a prior conviction for illegal use of a firearm in 2019. The gun used in the shooting was reportedly stolen from a truck belonging to another man who had associated with Elkins, adding another disturbing layer to the case. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is now investigating how the weapon ended up in Elkins’ hands despite his criminal record.

The motive remains under intense scrutiny. Authorities have described the shootings as stemming from a “violent domestic dispute.” Elkins’ wife had reportedly filed for divorce, and the attack appears to have been triggered by the impending separation and custody battle. Family members say Elkins had been increasingly erratic and withdrawn, expressing feelings of hopelessness and anger. The fact that he targeted his own children and their relatives has left relatives and neighbors struggling to reconcile the man they knew with the monster who carried out the killings.

The community of Shreveport is in mourning. Pink ribbons and balloons — symbols chosen to honor the innocence of the victims — have appeared throughout the city. Vigils have drawn hundreds, with parents holding their children tighter and teachers struggling to explain the tragedy to young students. Schools have brought in counselors, and local churches have held special services to remember the eight young lives lost. The names of the victims — Jayla, Shayla, Kayla, Layla, Markaydon, Sariahh, Khedarrion, and Braylon — are now etched into the collective memory of a city forever changed by one man’s rampage.

For the surviving family members, the pain is compounded by the knowledge that the shooter was their own relative. One brother-in-law, Troy Brown, gave an emotional interview, describing the horror of losing his daughter and the desperate escape of his wife and surviving child from the rooftop. The families are now left to bury their children while grappling with the betrayal and trauma of the attack coming from within their own circle.

The suicide at the mentor’s doorstep has raised difficult questions about Elkins’ final moments. Did he drive there seeking some form of closure, forgiveness, or simply a place where he felt a connection before ending it all? The mentor, Michael Mayence, has not publicly commented, but the choice of location suggests a desperate, final reach toward someone who had once guided him in the military. It is a chilling end to a story already filled with unimaginable horror.

This tragedy has reignited national debates about gun violence, stolen firearms, domestic abuse, and mental health support for veterans. Elkins’ prior conviction for illegal firearm use and his history of suicidal thoughts highlight gaps in the system that allowed a troubled individual to obtain a deadly weapon. Advocates are calling for stronger storage laws, better reporting of stolen guns, and improved mental health resources, especially for those with military backgrounds.

As investigators continue to piece together the timeline and motive, the people of Shreveport are left to heal. Memorials continue to grow, with flowers, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes accumulating at multiple sites. The community has shown remarkable resilience, organizing meal trains, fundraisers, and support networks for the grieving families.

The loss of these eight children — bright, innocent lives full of potential — represents more than statistics. They were sons, daughters, siblings, cousins, and friends whose futures were stolen in a single night of violence. Their deaths, and the shooter’s final act of suicide on his mentor’s doorstep, have left a city asking the hardest question of all: why?

In the days and weeks ahead, the focus will remain on supporting the surviving family members and honoring the memory of the victims. The tragedy in Shreveport is a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences when mental health struggles, domestic conflict, and easy access to firearms collide.

For the families torn apart by this massacre, the healing process will be long and difficult. Yet amid the sorrow, there is a quiet determination to remember the eight young lives lost and to work toward a future where no community has to endure such unimaginable pain again.

The names of the victims will live on — Jayla, Shayla, Kayla, Layla, Markaydon, Sariahh, Khedarrion, and Braylon — as a solemn call for change, compassion, and vigilance in the face of darkness.