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Published 16:26 21 Apr 2026 GMT
New details about ninth child emerge after Louisiana gunman killed 8 kids including 7 of his own in mass shooting
New information has come into focus following a devastating mass shooting in Louisiana that saw eight children murdered.
Police say suspect Shamar Elkins shot all seven of his children dead, as well as his nephew, but the further release of new information highlights that the death toll could have been even higher.
New details emerge about a ninth child
It has been reported by The Sun that a ninth child, a young boy, managed to escape along with his mother, as they jumped from a roof to flee Elkins’ deadly shooting spree on Sunday.
According to police, the surviving boy fled in a desperate attempt to save his life, jumping from the roof as shots rang out inside the home.
He was not hit by gunfire, but suffered broken bones from the fall. Officers also reported that a woman escaped through a roof window above the garage and managed to call emergency services, while another child’s attempt to escape ended in tragedy. One victim was found on the roof after being shot.
The violence unfolded and stretched across two homes. By the time it was over, eight children had been killed, and two women were left injured.
Police identified the suspect as Elkins, a 31-year-old man and the father of seven of the victims. Investigators say he acted alone before fleeing, triggering a police chase that ended with his death.
A chilling killing spree
Authorities said the attack began at a home on Harrison Street, where Elkins allegedly shot his wife. He then went to a second residence on West 79th Street, where the children and another woman were targeted. Many of the children were inside the house when the shooting started.
All eight children who died were found in the same house. One of them was discovered on the roof after trying to escape the gunfire. The surviving boy, identified as 13 years old, later received hospital treatment for injuries sustained during his escape.
Wayne Smith said the first emergency call reported they were on the roof while someone inside the home was shooting. Shortly after, another call indicated that the woman and her children had managed to get off the roof and into the backyard.
The victims 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. Officials confirmed there were three boys and five girls between the ages of 3 and 11.
Police said one of the injured women was the suspect’s wife. Both women survived, though one remained in a more serious condition.
Police spokesperson Chris Bordelon noted that the suspect was known to law enforcement, but added that there was no documented history of domestic violence involving him.