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Shamar Elkins wished he ‘could go back and have kids with different woman’ in grim post weeks before massacring children

Nypost · · 415 words · By Anthony Blair
Family Conflict/Divorce Mental instability and social media activity
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What to know about Family Conflict/Divorce

Shamar Elkins wished he ‘could go back and have kids with different woman’ in grim post weeks before massacring children Crazed Louisiana shooter Shamar Elkins said he wished he could travel “back in time” to have kids with a “different woman” in a grimly…

Claims checked 14
Techniques found 2
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center0%
Right100%

1 source compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Shamar Elkins wished he ‘could go back and have kids with different woman’ in grim post weeks before massacring children Crazed Louisiana shooter Shamar Elkins said he wished he could travel “back in time” to have kids with a “different woman” in a grimly…

Why it matters

“Dads, if you could go back in time and have kids with a different woman but still have the same kids, would you do it?” read the post shared by the 31-year-old deranged Army vet on his Facebook on March 8.

Common ground

“Hell yehhhhhhhh I would,” the twisted killer wrote in his post sharing the image, originally from a Facebook page titled “Dads Matter Everywhere.” Elkins was embroiled in a divorce battle with his wife of two years, Shaneiqua Pugh, when he opened fire on his…

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/04/20/us-news/shamar-elkins-wished-he-could-have-kids-wi…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 60% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 14 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 8
schedule Pending 4
help Insufficient Evidence 2
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Claim 1: “The eight deceased children were identified as 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.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 2: “All but one of the children was reportedly shot in the head.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 3: “The eighth was killed on the roof as they tried to escape.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 4: “A lone child was able to survive by jumping from the roof, breaking their leg in the process.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 5: “She told a dispatcher in chilling audio that he had “shot all” the people in the house.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results to confirm that Elkins's wife told a dispatcher that he shot everyone in the house.
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Claim 6: ““Shout out to every man who is fixing his life. Alone. No rich relatives. No favors. No dad’s money. Even through losses and disrespect. You’ll go far in life,” reads the post reshared by Elkins, which he captioned simply, “Damn right.””
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm the content of the post, quoting the message encouraging men who are 'fixing his life' alone and stating they will 'go far in life.'
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Family posts and personal life Elkins often shared photos and moments with his children on social media. Just hours before the shooting, he posted a picture from a visit to a burger restaurant with hi…
https://news.meaww.com/shamar-elkins-chilling-posts-surface-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The gunman who perpetrated the mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, early Sunday morning has been identified as Shamar Elkins, as first reported by the New York Post.
https://www.mensjournal.com/news/shamar-elkins-shreveport-ma…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The man suspected of carrying out a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, was shot dead by police after a pursuit that ended in neighbouring Bossier City, authorities said. The suspect, identified a…
https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/shamar-elkins-…
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Claim 7: “Another post March 11 reads simply, “Understand to be misunderstood.””
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Shamar Elkins posted the cryptic message 'Understand to be misunderstood' on or around March 12 (which is close to the stated March 11, but the date is consistent across multiple sources regarding the content).
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Survivor is an American reality television show, based on the Swedish program Expedition Robinson. Contestants are referred to as "castaways", and they compete against one another to become the "Sole …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Survivor_(American_TV_…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of mass or spree killers in the United States. A mass murderer is typically defined as someone who kills three or more people in one incident, with no "cooling off" period, not includin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rampage_killers_in_the…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A familicide is a type of murder or murder–suicide in which an individual kills multiple close family members (children, spouses, siblings, or parents) in quick succession. In half the cases, the kill…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familicide
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 8: “Another post, shared March 8, the same day as the “time travel” reshare, gives cryptic hints about him “fixing his life” amid his ongoing troubled family situation.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that on March 8, Elkins shared a post giving cryptic hints about 'fixing his life' amid family troubles, corroborating the timing and theme of the claim.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — A familicide is a type of murder or murder–suicide in which an individual kills multiple close family members (children, spouses, siblings, or parents) in quick succession. In half the cases, the kill…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familicide
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Survivor is an American reality television show, based on the Swedish program Expedition Robinson. Contestants are referred to as "castaways", and they compete against one another to become the "Sole …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Survivor_(American_TV_…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of mass or spree killers in the United States. A mass murderer is typically defined as someone who kills three or more people in one incident, with no "cooling off" period, not includin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rampage_killers_in_the…
+ 3 more evidence sources
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Claim 9: “Elkins, who had previous convictions for driving while intoxicated and firearms charges, was due in court Monday with Pugh as part of their divorce.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm Elkins had previous convictions (e.g., DWI, weapons charges). One source specifically mentions arguments regarding a scheduled court appearance concerning his divorce.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — What we know about Shamar Elkins Court records show Elkins previously pled guilty to a weapons charge and served probation in 2019.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/04/19/shreve…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Records showed that Elkins had two convictions before the April 2026 mass shooting. He was arrested for driving while intoxicated in 2016 and for the illegal use of weapons in 2019.
https://people.com/what-to-know-about-shreveport-shooting-11…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A family member told police that Elkins and his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, had reportedly been arguing over a scheduled Monday (April 20) court appearance regarding their divorce prior to the shooting.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/police-identify-louisia…
help
Claim 10: “Elkins then carjacked a vehicle and led police on a chase that ended with the Louisiana Army National Guard veteran’s death by gunshot in neighboring Bossier City.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided in the search results to confirm that Elkins carjacked a vehicle and was killed by gunshot during a police chase in Bossier City.
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Claim 11: “His wife was able to call 911 after being shot by Elkins during Sunday’s carnage.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Elkins shot his wife and girlfriend, and that she (or witnesses) subsequently called 911.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The perpetrator, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, was subsequently shot and killed by police following a carjacking and chase into Bossier City, Louisiana. This incident is currently the deadl…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Shreveport_shooting
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Elkins, 31, a Louisiana State Guard veteran, killed eight children — five girls and three boys ages 3 to 11 — and seriously wounded two women believed to be his wife and his girlfriend.
https://nypost.com/2026/04/20/us-news/cops-learn-louisiana-s…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Elkins also shot the mother of his children and another woman, both of whom suffered serious injuries, said Shreveport Police Department spokesperson Christopher Bordelon.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/04/19/shreve…
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Claim 12: “Elkins was embroiled in a divorce battle with his wife of two years, Shaneiqua Pugh, when he opened fire on his family during Sunday morning’s unspeakable tragedy in Shreveport.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results state that Elkins's actions occurred shortly after he was struggling with his family life and impending divorce from his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh. One source specifically mentions arguments over a scheduled court appearance.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The photo shows Shamar Elkins, 31, and his wife, Shaneiqua. Elkins fatally shot his seven children and a cousin and critically wounded Pugh early Sunday, police said.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/20/us/shreveport-louisiana-shoot…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Shamar Elkins, a 31-year-old Army veteran, killed eight children in Shreveport, Louisiana, just weeks after confessing to his family that he was struggling with 'dark thoughts' and his impending divor…
https://nationaltoday.com/us/la/shreveport/news/2026/04/20/l…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — What we know about Shamar Elkins Court records show Elkins previously pled guilty to a weapons charge and served probation in 2019. Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2013 to ...
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/04/19/shreve…
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Claim 13: “Crazed Louisiana shooter Shamar Elkins said he wished he could travel “back in time” to have kids with a “different woman” in a grimly foreshadowing Facebook post weeks before killing seven of his children and their young cousin and wounding his wife and girlfriend.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results report that Shamar Elkins posted on Facebook wishing he could travel back in time to have children with a different woman. The evidence confirms the core elements of the claim across different search snippets.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of mass or spree killers in the United States. A mass murderer is typically defined as someone who kills three or more people in one incident, with no "cooling off" period, not includin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rampage_killers_in_the…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 39 minutes ago · Crazed Louisiana shooter Shamar Elkins said he wished he could travel “back in time” to have kids with a “different woman” in a grimly ...
https://nypost.com/2026/04/20/us-news/shamar-elkins-wished-h…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 24 hours ago · NEW: Photo of Shamar Elkin, who reportedly killed eight children in Shreveport before being shot by police. Officials say some of the ...Missing: travel | Show results with:travel
https://www.facebook.com/WBRZNews2/posts/new-photo-of-shamar…
+ 1 more evidence source
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Claim 14: ““Dads, if you could go back in time and have kids with a different woman but still have the same kids, would you do it?” read the post shared by the 31-year-old deranged Army vet on his Facebook on March 8.”
CORROBORATED
The claim is directly supported by multiple web search results quoting the exact question posted by Shamar Elkins on Facebook regarding going back in time to have children with a different woman while keeping the same children.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — This is a list of mass or spree killers in the United States. A mass murderer is typically defined as someone who kills three or more people in one incident, with no "cooling off" period, not includin…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_rampage_killers_in_the…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — “Dads If you could go back in time and have kids with a different woman but still have the same kids, would you do it?” the post read. Shamar Elkins shared several Facebook posts before the shooting (…
https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/shamar-elk…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — A Facebook post by Shamar Elkins shows a reposted image from "Dads Matter Everywhere" asking, "Dads If you could go back in time and have kids with a different woman but still have the same kids, woul…
https://nypost.com/2026/04/20/us-news/shamar-elkins-wished-h…
+ 1 more evidence source
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.