Jayla Elkins was 3 years old when she was killed on April 19, 2026, in a mass domestic violence shooting in the Cedar Grove neighborhood of Shreveport, Louisiana. Authorities say the attack began with a domestic disturbance and that the victims included eight children who were siblings and one cousin; the children ranged in age from 3 to 11. Jayla was among the youngest victims.

Police identified 31-year-old Shamar Elkins as the suspected gunman and said the assault started with the shooting of an adult woman before moving to a home on the 300 block of West 79th Street, where the children were found. Two adult women were wounded and others were injured while trying to escape. After the killings, the suspect fled, carjacked a vehicle, led officers on a pursuit, and died after an exchange of gunfire; preliminary autopsy information cited a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Federal authorities later charged 56-year-old Charles Ford with being a felon in possession of the firearm used in the shooting and with making false statements, alleging he had possession of the weapon prior to the massacre. The suspect died and therefore was never arrested or tried for the killings. Does anyone who knew Jayla or the family have information that could help clarify how the weapon moved into the suspect’s hands?