A Louisiana community came together on May 9 to mourn the tragic loss of eight children killed in a domestic shooting on April 19. The funeral service, held at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport, saw local residents, politicians, faith leaders, and others gather to pay their respects.
The Victims
The eight children who died in the attack 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. Their lives were tragically cut short in a shooting carried out by Shamar Elkins, who was later fatally shot by police.
The Service and Tributes
During the service, attendees honored the children by wearing pink, purple, and blue and visiting their white caskets, decorated with photos of the children, some alongside their favorite Disney characters. Flowers and crowns were placed on the children’s bodies in a crowning ceremony symbolizing eternal life.
Pastor Kim Burrell and Bishop Bernard Kimble led the service, offering words of comfort and emphasizing faith in the face of tragedy. “God is still on the throne,” said Burrell, while Kimble reminded mourners, “In spite of how you may be feeling today, we still need to know that God is still good.”
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux also spoke, saying, “Their presence was a gift: gentle, vibrant and full of promise. Their absence is now deeply felt.”
Remembering the Children
Funeral pamphlets included tributes to each child, with Khedarrion Snow described as having “a sweet and loving heart” and Layla Pugh as “bright, intelligent, bold and full of love.” The children were remembered by their affectionate nicknames, such as “Jaybae” for 3-year-old Jayla Elkins, “K-Mae” for 6-year-old Kayla Pugh, and “K-Bug” for 10-year-old Mar’Kaydon Pugh.
The Attack and Aftermath
The tragic attack occurred early on April 19 when Shamar Elkins shot and killed his children and his nephew at a residence in Shreveport. Two women, including his wife and girlfriend, were also shot but survived. A 12-year-old girl managed to escape by jumping off the roof, sustaining multiple broken bones.
Elkins fled the scene by carjacking a man and attempting to escape, but police chased him down and fatally shot him in Bossier Parish, about 30 miles from Shreveport.
Statewide Tributes
In honor of the victims, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff. He described the children as “the light of their homes and the heart of their classrooms” and remembered their futures as full of promise and joy.
The service and tributes reflect the deep loss felt by the Shreveport community and the broader state, as they remember the bright futures that were tragically stolen from these young lives.
