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, were all killed in the April 19 shooting
Credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
NEED TO KNOW
- A Louisiana community gathered to honor eight children killed in a domestic shooting last month during an emotional funeral service on Saturday, May 9
- Mourners attended a service at the Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport to remember the seven siblings and their cousin who were shot in the April 19 attack
- The children — 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 — were remembered with heartfelt tributes and a crowning ceremony
A Louisiana community gathered to pay their respects during an emotional funeral service for the eight children killed in an April domestic shooting.
On Saturday, May 9, local community members, politicians, faith leaders and more gathered at the Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport to mourn the loss of seven siblings and their cousin who were shot in the April 19 attack.
The children 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.
The Associated Press and USA Today reported that the churchgoers honored the children by wearing pink, purple and blue, visiting their white caskets with photos of each of the children — some alongside their favorite Disney characters — as well as praying and singing as a group.
Mourners also placed flowers and crowns on each of the children's bodies during the service as a part of a crowning ceremony to signify eternal life.
Credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Pastor Kim Burrell led the group in a sermon, telling attendees that “God is still on the throne” even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
“In spite of how you may be feeling today, we still need to know that God is still good,” added Bishop Bernard Kimble, senior pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Politicians, including Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux, also spoke at the service, according to the outlets.
"Their presence was a gift: gentle, vibrant and full of promise," Arceneaux said. "Their absence is now deeply felt."
Funeralgoers were given pamphlets that included tributes to each of the children.
Credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
Six-year-old Khedarrion Snow had “a sweet and loving heart,” the pamphlet read, adding that “though his life on earth was short, his light was mighty.” Layla Pugh, 7, loved to make TikTok videos with her siblings and cousins and was described as a “bright, intelligent, bold and full of love.”
Other siblings were remembered by their affectionate nicknames, including 3-year-old Jayla Elkins, who was called “Jaybae”; Kayla Pugh, 6, who was dubbed “K-Mae”; and Mar’Kaydon Pugh, 10, who was nicknamed “K-Bug.”
The eight children were shot and killed at a Shreveport residence early in the morning on April 19 by Shamar Elkins, who was later fatally shot by police while fleeing in a carjacked vehicle, the Shreveport Police Department said.
The "heinous" attack that has shaken the community was domestic in nature, police previously said. Seven of the eight victims were Shamar's children, and the other child was a cousin, according to the coroner's office.
Two women were also shot but survived, per police. One of them was Shamar's wife, and the other was his girlfriend, police said. A 12-year-old girl also escaped by jumping off the roof and sustained multiple broken bones, police told PEOPLE.
After the crime, Shamar carjacked a man at gunpoint and tried to flee, Shreveport police said in their statement. Officers located the vehicle, began chasing Shamar and then fatally shot him in Bossier Parish, about 30 miles from Caddo Parish, where Shreveport is located.
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According to AP, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff over the next week at the Capitol and state government buildings in honor of the victims.
The children “were the light of their homes and the heart of their classrooms,” Landry said in a statement. “They were full of promise and found joy in the simplest things, such as dancing, playing outside and sharing laughter with family and friends. Their futures were bright and held great promise.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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