Shamar Elkins' Final Exchange with Former Wife Revealed Before Shreveport Tragedy

Authorities are piecing together the final moments before a deadly Shreveport shooting. New details highlight Shamar Elkins' last interaction with his estranged wife as the investigation unfolds.

Something unfolded in the final moments between Shamar Elkins and his estranged wife — details investigators say could help explain the violence that followed. What happened next is now under scrutiny.

Shamar is at the center of a deadly shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, on April 19, 2026, that left multiple victims, including eight children. Authorities say the incidents occurred at more than one location.

According to CBC News, Shamar Elkins and his wife were in the process of separating and were due in court on Monday. The report cited Crystal Brown, a relative of one of the victims, who said tensions had been escalating.

Crystal said the couple had been arguing about the separation — one of their final known interactions before the tragedy. She also alleged that Shamar shot his wife and children.

The relative also told CBC that Shamar shared children with his wife and another woman who lived nearby. All the children were reportedly at one home when the violence began.

She described the kids as "happy, very friendly, very sweet.”

As the scene unfolded, witness accounts began to fill in the moments after the shooting.

Neighbor Liza Demming, also quoted by CBC News, said her security camera captured the suspect running from the scene after gunshots were heard. She later saw the covered body of a child outside the home.

Authorities continue to piece together the timeline as more details emerge, echoing concerns raised in earlier reports.

A Timeline of Violence Emerges

As we previously reported, police in Shreveport responded to reports of a shooting involving multiple victims, according to NBC News. Investigators said the gunman shot 10 people in total, killing eight children and wounding two women.

Authorities identified the suspect as Shamar, the children’s father. Seven of the children were found inside the residence, while an eighth was discovered on a back roof.

The children were later 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, according to the New York Post.

Additionally, two women were wounded in the shooting, including Shamar's wife, Shaneiqua, who was shot in the face and survived, and another woman believed to be his girlfriend.

A teenager was also reportedly injured after falling from the roof, but did not suffer gunshot wounds. As investigators continued examining the case, officials said the motive remains unclear.

"We know it's domestic in nature, we know his wife is involved, and she is the mother of at least seven of the children, with the eighth being a family friend," said Christopher Bordelon, a spokesperson for the Shreveport Police Department.

Authorities said a small-caliber handgun was used in part of the violence, and Shamar was armed with a rifle-style pistol when officers confronted him.

Officers later confronted Shamar and fatally shot him, bringing the immediate threat to an end.

Authorities also reported that many of the children appeared to have been shot while asleep, most sustaining gunshot wounds to the head.

As more details emerged, attention turned to what Shamar's life looked like in the days leading up to the shooting.

A Glimpse Into Their Facebook Activity

Before the shooting, Shamar remained active on Facebook, sharing moments from his daily life that often centered on his children, though his profile listed little personal information beyond his gender.

In an April 18 post, just days before the incident, he shared a photo of his eldest child sitting in the front seat of a vehicle and eating a burger during what he described as a one-on-one outing.

Back on April 6, he shared a photo of himself standing outside a home with several children, dressed for Easter, and gathered closely together.

Earlier posts took on a more introspective tone.

In one post dated April 9, he shared a lengthy prayer centered on strength, peace, and protection. In another post from March 12, he shared a short message that read, "Understand to be misunderstood."

On February 13, he shared a photo showing several children sitting on the floor inside a home, gathered closely around large open trays of food as they ate together during a casual group meal.

Like Shamar, Shaneiqua also maintained an active presence on the same platform.

Her profile listed her as living in Shreveport, Louisiana, indicated that the couple had been married since April 9, 2024, and showed that she attended Independence University.

Her page included a mix of personal details and reposted content, including a pinned post emphasizing her focus on prayer and faith.

More recent activity included reposted content, such as a message referencing her zodiac sign, Aries, as well as shared videos. Her profile reflected regular engagement through short captions and reposts rather than lengthy personal updates.

Their posts offered a window into their lives in the days leading up to the incident, but for those nearby, the events took a far different turn.

Neighbor Recalls Chaos

As reported by KSLA 12 News, a nearby resident described the moment the violence unfolded, recalling confusion and shock as the situation escalated.

"My thought process was like, man, there's no way that that just happened behind our house. You know, it was, I was just in total shock. I was just like, oh my God, dude. Like, it was just chaos. I mean, honestly like, it was just nothing like I’ve ever experienced," Jacob Castleman said.

Jacob said he woke up to his wife telling him she heard sirens and possibly a gunshot.

"And then I set up and we heard another gunshot. And I was like, all right, that's pretty close. So as I got up, we heard several more fires. And then I went and grabbed my firearm and checked out the back because that's where I thought everything was coming from," he said.

Authorities have not yet determined what led up to the shooting, as they continue working to establish a clearer sequence of events.

In the aftermath, the loss of eight young lives has left a lasting impact on the community, with many still searching for answers in the wake of the tragedy.