Louisiana Mother Still Has Bullet Lodged in Her Face After Shreveport Shooting Killed Her Three Children, Cousin Says
Why It Matters
A Louisiana family is grappling with catastrophic loss following a Sunday morning mass shooting in Shreveport that claimed the lives of eight children. The attack has raised urgent questions about gun access, mental health treatment gaps for veterans, and law enforcement’s ability to prevent family violence tragedies.
One of two women wounded in the rampage, Christina Snow, remains hospitalized with a bullet still lodged in her face — while also suffering memory lapses that cause her to forget her three children are dead.
What Happened
In the early morning hours of Sunday, April 20, 2026, Shreveport police say Shamar Elkins, 31, opened fire on multiple victims across several locations, killing eight children and wounding two women. The violence began on Harrison Street just before 6 a.m., when police received a call from a woman reporting that her boyfriend had shot her, taken her children, and fled, according to Police Chief Wayne Smith.
Elkins then traveled to a home in the 300 block of West 79th Street, where the bodies of seven children were found. An eighth child was discovered dead on the back roof of the home. Police spokesperson Christopher Bordelon confirmed that most of the children had been shot in the head and that several appeared to have been asleep at the time.
The eight victims were identified 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. Elkins died following a carjacking at gunpoint; it remains unclear whether he died by suicide or was fatally shot by law enforcement.
A teenager also suffered non-life-threatening injuries after falling from a roof during the violence. Elkins’ wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, was shot in the face and remained hospitalized in critical condition.
A Mother’s Devastating Condition
Christina Snow — mother of Sariahh, Khedarrion, and Braylon Snow — was shot in the face during the attack. Her cousin, Jamarckus Snow, told NBC News on Tuesday that doctors have chosen not to perform surgery to remove the bullet due to the risk involved. “Doctors say they didn’t want to do surgery and risk it,” he said.
Jamarckus Snow said Christina can speak but is experiencing significant memory impairment. “One day, she’ll remember they’re dead. I heard yesterday she woke up and was like, ‘I got to get my kids ready for school,'” he said. “One day, she’ll know, and the next day, she’s thinking her kids is still there.”
He described his cousin as a devoted parent. “All she worked for was her kids, and all she talked about was her kids,” he said. “It’s devastating.”
By the Numbers
8 — children killed in the Sunday morning attack across multiple locations in Shreveport.
2 — women shot and hospitalized, including Christina Snow and Shaneiqua Pugh.
2019 — the year Elkins was arrested and convicted of illegal use of a firearm, a conviction that likely barred him from legally owning guns.
1+ — week Elkins reportedly spent receiving mental health treatment at a local Veterans Affairs medical center in the period leading up to the shooting.
1 — federal arrest made Tuesday of a man connected to the firearm Elkins used in the attack.
Zoom Out
The Shreveport massacre is among the deadliest domestic violence-linked mass shootings in recent U.S. history involving children. It has intensified national debate over how convicted felons continue to access firearms illegally and whether the Veterans Affairs mental health system is adequately equipped to identify and address violent risk factors in at-risk individuals.
Federal prosecutors moving swiftly to charge a suspect connected to the weapon used in the attack signals a continued push under current law enforcement priorities to prosecute illegal firearms trafficking. The case also highlights persistent concerns about gaps between mental health intervention and criminal background enforcement.
What’s Next
Investigators say the full circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under active investigation. The federal case against the man allegedly connected to Elkins’ firearm is expected to move through the federal court system in the coming weeks. Shreveport officials and community members held a candlelight vigil Sunday, and the city is expected to continue coordinating support resources for affected families.
Christina Snow remains hospitalized as her family awaits further medical guidance on whether the bullet lodged in her face can eventually be removed safely.