Shamar Elkins Posted Daughter Photo Before Allegedly Killing 8 Children in Shreveport
Shamar Elkins, a 31-year-old army veteran, allegedly carried out a horrific shooting spree across three properties in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Sunday morning, killing eight children in a domestic dispute. Authorities confirmed the devastating attack occurred shortly after 6am Central Time, with victims ranging in age from 1 to 12 years old.
Cheerful Social Media Posts Preceded Carnage
Just hours before the bloodshed, Elkins shared a cheerful photograph on his Facebook page showing himself with his eldest daughter as she ate a burger. The caption read, "Lol!!!! Took my oldest on a lil 1 on 1 date had to catch her down bad ugh ugh," accompanied by laughing emojis. This stark contrast between his online persona and the alleged violence has shocked investigators and the public alike.
Elkins also posted another photograph two weeks earlier showing himself with seven children, writing about taking them to church for an Easter service. "Happy Easter had a wonderful time at church for the first time with all my kids what a blessed day," he wrote in the Facebook post, according to reports from the Mirror US.
Mental Health Struggles and Extensive Crime Scene
However, Elkins made reference to mental health struggles in a Facebook post dated April 9, where he asked God to "guard" his thoughts. "Dear God, Today I ask You to help me guard my mind and my emotions. When negativity arises, remind me to say, 'It does not belong to me, in the name of Jesus,'" the post read.
Police verified that ten people were shot in the domestic dispute, with gunfire ringing out in Shreveport's Cedar Grove area. Shreveport Police Department Corporal Chris Bordelon stated at a press conference that the extensive crime scene included three locations, with Elkins allegedly opening fire in the 300 block of West 79th Street near Linwood Avenue and at a property on Harrison Street a quarter mile away.
"This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen," Bordelon told reporters, noting the crime scene ultimately encompassed four locations including two houses and another property on a separate street.
Aftermath and Community Response
After fleeing the scene, Elkins allegedly carried out a carjacking, with patrol officers giving chase before he was fatally shot by police. Authorities confirmed that seven of the children who lost their lives were Elkins' own children.
Several prominent public figures released statements condemning the devastating incident. Police Chief Wayne Smith expressed profound shock, stating, "My heart is taken aback, I just cannot begin to imagine how such an event can occur."
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux told reporters, "This affects the entire community. We all mourn with these families. It's a Sunday morning, I ask all of you to pray at your services this morning not just for this family, but for all the victims, for the victims at the hospital, and the community at large."
The tragedy has left the Shreveport community reeling, with investigators continuing to piece together the events leading up to the Sunday morning carnage that claimed eight young lives.
