Shreveport, Louisiana – Eight small white caskets, eight photographs and a grieving community filled Summer Grove Baptist Church as Louisiana gathered to say a final goodbye to eight children whose lives were taken during one of the most devastating acts of v1olence the city of Shreveport has experienced.
The children — Jayla Elkins, Shayla Elkins, Kayla Pugh, Layla Pugh, Mar’Kaydon Zykee Pugh, Sariahh Renea Snow, Khedarrion DeAnthony Snow and Braylon Deshaun Snow — were remembered together during an emotional funeral service on May 9, 2026.
They have since become known throughout the community as the “Eternal Eight.”
The children ranged from only 3 to 11 years old.
Eight children whose names will not be forgotten
The eight young victims were:
Jayla Elkins, 3 years old.
Shayla Elkins, 5 years old.
Kayla Pugh, 6 years old.
Layla Pugh, 7 years old.
Mar’Kaydon Zykee Pugh, 10 years old.
Sariahh Renea Snow, 11 years old.
Khedarrion DeAnthony Snow, 6 years old.
Braylon Deshaun Snow, 5 years old.
Seven were siblings and the eighth was their cousin.
Their lives were taken during a series of sh00tings in Shreveport during the early hours of April 19.
Police identified the man believed responsible as Shamar Elkins, the father of seven of the eight children.
Authorities said the episode developed from what investigators believe was a domestic dispute.
Two adult women were also sh0t and survived.
Shamar Elkins later fled, leading authorities on a pursuit into Bossier City. He subsequently d1ed following an exchange of gunf1re involving police. Investigators initially said additional forensic work was necessary to establish precisely how the fatal wound occurred.
Their mothers survived to face an unimaginable goodbye
Behind the eight names are three mothers whose lives were permanently changed.
Shaneiqua Pugh was the mother of Jayla, Shayla, Kayla and Layla.
She survived multiple gunsh0t wounds.
Her sister, Keosha Pugh, was the mother of Mar’Kaydon. She escaped from the home during the attack.
Christina Snow was the mother of Sariahh, Khedarrion and Braylon.
She was also sh0t but survived.
Weeks later, the three mothers were present as their children were remembered together.
Eight white caskets inside one church
Hundreds of people arrived at Summer Grove Baptist Church for the joint funeral.
Eight white caskets were displayed inside the sanctuary, accompanied by large photographs of the children.
Gold crowns and white flowers were placed on the caskets.
Family members, teachers, community leaders, politicians and residents came together to remember the children not for the horrific way their lives ended, but for who they were.
Some loved dancing.
Others enjoyed art, mathematics, playing outdoors, making videos or simply spending time with their brothers, sisters and cousins.
Mar’Kaydon, affectionately known as “K-Bug,” was remembered as an energetic child who enjoyed running, laughing and learning.
Jayla was lovingly called “Jaybae.”
Shayla was known as “Noonie.”
Kayla, nicknamed “K-Mae,” was remembered for a smile that could brighten a room.
Principal Pamela Bloomer had recently celebrated one of the children
The impact of the eight l0sses extended directly into Shreveport’s schools.
Pamela Bloomer, principal of Summer Grove Elementary School, had reportedly celebrated the academic progress of one of the 6-year-old children shortly before the tr4gedy, recognizing improvements in literacy.
The school community was devastated.
Some of the children attended Summer Grove Elementary, while others attended Linwood Public Charter School and Johnnie Cochran Head Start.
Khedarrion Snow was remembered as a child who adored Principal Bloomer and enjoyed helping his family around the house.
His sister Sariahh Snow enjoyed music, art and mathematics.
Louisiana gathered for their final farewell
The funeral became much larger than a private family service.
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux honored the children and spoke about the impact their brief lives had on the community.
U.S. Representative Cleo Fields attended and described the grief as something extending far beyond Shreveport.
Former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, herself a survivor of a 2011 sh00ting, was also present to support the families.
Bishop Bernard Kimble delivered words of faith and healing, while gospel singer Kim Burrell offered music and encouragement to the grieving relatives.
Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor read the children’s names during the ceremony.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also honored the victims, while First Lady Sharon Landry and the Love One Louisiana Foundation helped support funeral-related expenses.
Their final journey
After the church service, the children were taken to Forest Park West Cemetery in Shreveport.
Their families gathered privately as the eight children were laid to rest in the cemetery’s Legacy Garden.
Horse-drawn carriages carried them toward their final resting place.
Flowers and photographs surrounded the burial area as relatives and members of the community offered their final goodbyes.
Louisiana later ordered flags lowered to half-staff as part of an eight-day period of remembrance, dedicating the days to the children whose lives were taken.
The “Eternal Eight”
What happened on April 19 remains one of the darkest chapters in recent Shreveport history.
But their families have worked to ensure that Jayla, Shayla, Kayla, Layla, Mar’Kaydon, Sariahh, Khedarrion and Braylon are remembered as much more than victims of a sh00ting.
They were children.
They were students.
They were brothers, sisters and cousins.
They had favorite subjects, nicknames, games, dreams and personalities that filled their homes and classrooms.
And when Louisiana gathered weeks later around eight white caskets, the community gave them a name meant to preserve that memory forever:
The Eternal Eight.
