Shamar ElkinsThe distraught war veteran, who tragically took the lives of his seven children and their cousin, admitted he was overwhelmed by “dark thoughts”. Just weeks before the gruesome killing, he told his stepfather that some people “don’t come back from their demons,” The New York Times reported.
Elkins, 31, shot eight children, including five girls and three boys between the ages of 3 and 11, and seriously injured two women, believed to be his wife and girlfriend, in the shooting around 6 a.m. Sunday in Shreveport following an argument with his spouse.
on Easter Sunday, elgin According to The New York Times , he contacted his mother, Mahlia Elkins, and stepfather, Marcus Jackson, ominously stating that he was overwhelmed with “dark thoughts” about ending his life, and mentioned that his wife, Shanequa Pugh (Elkins), was seeking a divorce.
“I told him, ‘You can beat this, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it,'” Elkins’ stepfather told the publication. “Then I remember him telling me: ‘Some people can’t get over their inner demons.'”
Shamar Elkins and court appearance
Mahlia elgin She expressed uncertainty about the issues facing her son and wife, The Times reported. They married in 2024 and have four children.
However, a relative of one of the injured women said the couple were undergoing separation proceedings and were due to appear in court on Monday.
Crystal Brown told The Associated Press that the argument began when Elkins, who was later shot by police, began arguing about breaking off the relationship.
Shamar Elkins career
According to the Times, the gunman’s father was employed by UPS and served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a signal support systems specialist and fire support specialist.
A co-worker at UPS described Elkins as a devoted father, but noted that he often appeared stressed and would pull out his hair, resulting in noticeable baldness, the publication reported.
Shreveport Police Department spokesman Christopher Bordelon told NBC News that most of the victims were shot in the head while asleep.
A child was shot on a roof while trying to escape, according to police.
Elkins was later shot and killed by police during an attempted carjacking, and he also shot and wounded two women – the mother of his child and his reported girlfriend – during the violent rampage.
