Louisiana mourns the ‘Eternal 8’, but the question haunting their mothers remains unanswered
A heart-wrenching massacre.
Shreveport, Louisiana is reeling after the devastating loss of eight children, now known as the “Eternal 8,” who were killed in what is being called the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in over two years. The community gathered on May 9, 2026, to honor their lives at a funeral that left hundreds in tears. For the three mothers who lost their children, the grief is only deepening as unanswered questions linger.
According to Shreveport Times, the children — Jayla Elkins, 3; Shayla Elkins, 5; Kayla Pugh, 6; Layla Pugh, 7; Mar’Kaydon Pugh, 10; Sariahh Snow, 11; Khedarrion Snow, 6; and Braylon Snow, 5 — were laid to rest in white caskets at Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport. The shooter, 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, was the father of seven of the children and uncle to the eighth.
The attack also left two of the mothers seriously injured. One of them was shot in the face and another suffered a shattered pelvis after jumping from a roof to escape.
The funeral was a heartbreaking mix of sorrow and celebration
A gospel choir filled the sanctuary with music as mourners filed past the caskets, many struggling to reconcile the stillness of the children with the vibrant lives they once lived. According to CNN, Kayla Pugh, known as “K-Mae,” was remembered as a sweetheart with a big smile who loved school and playing with her siblings.
Sariahh Snow was called “sunshine,” a creative and loving girl. Khedarrion Snow adored his principal, and Braylon Snow was described as sweet and gentle. Each child was honored with personal tributes that painted a picture of their joy, innocence, and love for their families. The service drew an overwhelming response, with strangers traveling from as far as South Carolina to pay their respects.
Kelvin Gadson, founder of the Giving a Child a Dream Foundation, drove more than 12 hours to attend. He brought Minnie and Mickey Mouse costumes to offer a moment of distraction for children who had witnessed the unimaginable. “They come out scared,” he said. “But I’m really here because this violence has to stop. It’s killing our children, our precious babies.”
The emotional weight of the day was palpable. Micheal Thomas, a 10-year-old who attended the viewing, struggled to process what he had seen. “I’m kind of scared of funerals. I’m scared of the dead bodies, and they were pretty kids,” he said.
“They were little. I wish I knew them, we would’ve been playing basketball, football, it would’ve been so fun.” His words captured the innocence lost, not just for the victims, but for the children left behind, forced to confront mortality far too soon.
The scene of the shooting is a haunting reminder of the tragedy
A makeshift memorial of eight crosses, balloons, and toys – plastic trucks, ribbon-wrapped dolls, and stuffed animals – stands outside the home where the children were killed. The street is under construction, with jagged cement and caution cones marking the path.
The mothers, dressed in white, sat side by side before the caskets, their bodies trembling with grief. Keosha Pugh, who suffered a shattered pelvis and hip, leaned on a cane as she walked into the funeral. Shaneiqua Pugh, the gunman’s wife, escaped physically unharmed, but Christina Snow was shot in the face. Their visible trauma was a painful reminder of the violence they endured.
The burial was a solemn procession. Horse-drawn carriages carried the children to Forest Park West Cemetery, where roses were gently placed on the caskets before eight white doves were released into the sky.
Dollie Sims, who had met the children through community programs, was among the mourners. “This was reliving the gun violence of my son, who was shot 15 times walking down the street,” she said. “This is surreal, and as a parent, I think all of us out there are just devastated because what makes this situation so traumatic is that it was by their father, who struggled with mental illness.”
The impact of the loss extends beyond the immediate families in Louisiana
Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux spoke at the funeral, emphasizing how deeply the community has been affected. “The community, bound together by love, now grieves together, holding tightly to the beauty these children brought into the world,” he said.
“Their lives, though far too brief, were deeply meaningful, and their lives continue to shine in ways, both seen and unseen.” Councilwoman Tabitha Taylor declared that the “Eternal Eight will never be forgotten in the City of Shreveport,” and Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry ordered U.S. and state flags to fly at half-staff for eight days, each day honoring one of the children.
Gospel recording artists Kim Burrell and Kirisma Evans also performed. “We are not just here to spectate, be a part of a story. No, we are here for you,” Burrell told the grieving families.
For the mothers, the grief is only beginning. Sims believes they haven’t yet had time to fully process their loss. “Mother’s Day is just going to be the beginning of them realizing that those babies aren’t there anymore,” she said.
Sharon Pouncy, a mother who lost her own child years ago, set up a folding table nearby to sell Mother’s Day gift baskets. She wore a Minnie Mouse shirt, unaware that the character was a favorite of the children being honored. “I want these mamas to know that every mother is holding them in their hearts today,” she said.
The tragedy has reignited conversations about gun violence and mental health in Louisiana. Sims called for action, urging the community to advocate for change. As the community mourns, the “Eternal 8” have become a symbol of both profound loss and solidarity.
(Featured image: Lorie Shaull)
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