One day before Mother’s Day, eight children who had passed away in a mass shooting were buried in Louisiana. Faith leaders and politicians paid tribute at the funeral on Saturday (May 9), which took place about 20 days after Shamar Elkins shot them on April 19, along with his estranged wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, and his alleged girlfriend, Christina Snow. Heartbreaking photos of the funeral service are now going viral. Seven of the children who died were Pugh and Snow’s kids, but also siblings. The other child was reportedly Pugh’s nephew.
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What Happened To The Children?
Shamar Elkins used an assault-style weapon in the attack, despite a 2019 felony firearms conviction. His wife, Shaneiqua, was seeking a divorce. She and Christina were wounded in the shooting that stretched across two houses in a Shreveport, Louisiana, neighborhood. Details from officials last month revealed that the 8 children suffered gunshot wounds inside Shaneiqua’s home. Elkins had allegedly kidnapped his three sons from Christina’s home, taken them to his wife’s two streets over, where his four daughters were.
Then, he shot and killed all seven of his own children and his wife’s nephew. Several children reportedly died in their sleep, while others had tried to get out the back door and one was found dead on the roof. Another child reportedly escaped the gunfire by jumping off the roof, suffering injuries.
Elkins died after fleeing and a police pursuit. It was not clear whether he was killed by officers who fired or from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to police. An investigation remains ongoing. The incident is the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in more than two years.
Funeral Service Honors 8 Kids Who Passed Away
The kids who passed away were: 11-year-old Sariahh Snow, 6-year-old Khedarrion Snow and 5-year-old Braylon Snow, 7-year-old Layla Pugh, 6-year-old Kayla Pugh, 5-year-old Shayla Elkins and 3-year-old Jayla Elkins and 10-year-old nephew, Mar’Kaydon Pugh.
As mentioned, the funeral service happened during Mother’s Day weekend at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Louisiana. It began with a long procession of mourners slowly filing past eight white caskets with large photos of the children next to them.
Gold crowns and bouquets of white flowers were placed on top of the closed caskets. A choir behind the altar and individual singers performed throughout the service.
“In spite of how you may be feeling today, we still need to know that God is still good,” Bishop Bernard Kimble, senior pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, said in opening remarks.
The funeral’s pamphlet contained tributes to each of the children. Some of them had affectionate nicknames. Jayla Elkins was called “Jaybae.” Kayla Pugh was “K-Mae” and Mar’Kaydon Pugh was “K-Bug.” Also, the pamphlet said, Khedarrion Snow had “a sweet and loving heart,” and “though his life on earth was short, his light was mighty.” Layla Pugh was “bright, intelligent, bold, and full of love” and enjoyed making TikTok videos with her siblings and cousins.
Louisiana Officials Attend & Speak At Joint Funeral
During the service, other speakers included Shreveport Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor. Taylor acknowledged that “there are no words sufficient to ease this pain.” Additionally, Councilman James Green encouraged audience members to collectively “take off our funeral face” because “this is a celebration” of the children’s lives. Also, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed the city’s condolences.
“May we honor them by carrying forward the gentleness, joy and love they so freely shared,” Arceneaux said.
Among those in attendance was also former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, whose political career was cut short by a 2011 assassination attempt.
Buses were made available afterward to transport mourners to a graveside burial. At the conclusion of the church service, Bishop Kimble prayed for healing to begin.
“Help us as we move from this spot,” he said. “Because we know, oh God, grief is only temporary. And if we’ll put our hands in your favor, you’ll lead us through this.”
Amid the funeral, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff at the Capitol and state government buildings for the next week. A message read from Landry said the victims “were the light of their homes and the heart of their classrooms.
The message continued, “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.” Adding, “It is incumbent upon us to honor the memory of those lost by standing together against such senseless violence.”
RELATED: Louisiana Officials Release Gun Photo & Arrest Man Linked To Weapon Shamar Elkins Used To Kill 8 Children
Associated Press writer John Raby contributed to this report via AP Newsroom.
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