Community Mourns 8 Children Who Passed Away in Louisiana During Emotional Funeral Service – Photos

Eight children were laid to rest during a heartbreaking funeral service in Louisiana, weeks after a devastating shooting shook the Shreveport community to its core.

Eight small white caskets lined the altar. Gold crowns rested on top of each one — and the community of Shreveport, Louisiana, would never be the same again.

A photo inside of the funeral service held for the eight children tragically killed in the April 19 mass shooting, shared on May 9, 2026. | Source: Facebook/Joliyah Daughtry

On Saturday, May 9, faith leaders, politicians, and hundreds of mourners gathered at Summer Grove Baptist Church to bid a final farewell to eight children who were killed in a mass shooting on April 19 in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The victims — seven siblings and their cousin — ranged in age from just 3 to 11 years old. They 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 service, held on Mother's Day weekend, began with a long procession of mourners slowly filing past the eight white caskets, each adorned with large photos of the children and bouquets of white flowers.

A choir and individual singers performed throughout, with churchgoers frequently rising to their feet in applause. The children's names were read aloud and displayed multiple times during the service.

The funeral's pamphlet contained tributes that painted vivid, tender portraits of each child. Some had beloved nicknames: 3-year-old Jayla was called "Jaybae," Kayla was known as "K-Mae," and Markaydon went by "K-Bug."

Six-year-old Khedarrion was described as having a sweet and loving heart, while 7-year-old Layla was remembered as bright, bold, and full of love — a girl who enjoyed making TikTok videos with her siblings and cousins.

Bishop Bernard Kimble of Mount Olive Baptist Church opened the service with a message of unwavering faith. "In spite of how you may be feeling today, we still need to know that God is still good," he told the congregation.

Pastor and gospel singer Kim Burrell also addressed the crowd, reminding mourners that God "makes no mistakes."

Shreveport Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor acknowledged that there were simply no words sufficient to ease such pain, while Councilman James Green urged attendees to reframe the day as a celebration of the children's lives.

Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed the city's condolences, saying, "May we honor them by carrying forward the gentleness, joy and love they so freely shared."

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived a near-fatal shooting in 2011 that ended her congressional career, was also present at the service.

U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields noted her presence, saying, "She just wanted to come and just let the family know that this pain is not just in Louisiana. This pain is all across the nation."

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry ordered flags to fly at half-staff for the week, and shared a message describing the children as "the light of their homes and the heart of their classrooms."

At the conclusion of the service, Kimble offered a closing prayer. "Help us as we move from this spot," he said. "Because we know, oh God, grief is only temporary."

A photo from the burial services for the "Eternal 8," held on May 9, 2026 in Shreveport, Louisiana. | Source: Facebook/KSLA News 12

The shooting, which authorities described as domestic in nature, was carried out by Shamar Elkins — the father of seven of the eight children. Elkins, who had a 2019 felony firearms conviction, used an assault-style weapon when he opened fire across two homes in the early morning hours of April 19.

Two women were shot and wounded during the attack — Elkins' wife, who had filed for divorce, and a second woman believed to be his girlfriend. Elkins fled the scene, carjacked a vehicle at gunpoint, and was subsequently shot and killed by officers in neighboring Bossier Parish during a police pursuit.

A photo from the burial services for the "Eternal 8," held on May 9, 2026 in Shreveport, Louisiana. | Source: Facebook/KSLA News 12

An investigation into the shooting — described as the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in more than two years — remains ongoing.

Reports indicate that Elkins had told family members a week before the killings that he had "dark thoughts" as his wife sought to divorce him, and reportedly warned, "Some people don't come back from their demons."

Shamar Elkins with his children | Source: X/AlertaMundoNews

Markaydon's father, Troy Brown, expressed his grief on Facebook, writing, "I love u Mar'Kaydon nothing will ever change that. This hurts so bad, pls pray for me and Keosha Pugh on the lost of our only son and our nieces and nephews."

In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign titled "Support for Shreveport Family: Community Unity" was set up by Be The Village, a local community outreach organization, to assist with funeral, memorial, and medical expenses.

A photo from the burial services for the "Eternal 8," held on May 9, 2026 in Shreveport, Louisiana. | Source: Facebook/KSLA News 12

As of this report, it has raised nearly $19,500 of its $22,000 goal from hundreds of donations.

Organizer Carla Collins noted in an update that Governor Landry and his wife have since stepped in to cover funeral and burial expenses, meaning the raised funds will now go toward ongoing needs for Christina Snow — the mother of three of the children — including moving costs, rental deposits, and utilities.

"This is bigger than one family," Collins wrote. "This is about showing what community truly looks like in a time of crisis."

A photo from the burial services for the "Eternal 8," held on May 9, 2026 in Shreveport, Louisiana. | Source: Facebook/KSLA News 12

Across social media, people poured out their grief and solidarity. "Innocent victims. May God Almighty receive their gentle souls. Prayers for the family," one commenter wrote tenderly.

Another mourned, "This is one of the most disturbing and heart breaking stories I think any of us will ever hear / read about. I couldn't even imagine …💔." A third simply offered, "May they all rest in peace."

Buses transported mourners from the church to a graveside burial following the service, where eight young lives were laid to rest — far too soon, and far too violently.