and Shamar Elkins A 31-year-old man was identified as a suspect in a mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Sunday morning, and more details are emerging. The source of most of the information about the veteran is his Facebook profile, where he regularly posts updates about his life.
Wilkins shot eight children and wounded two women, one critically, before being fatally shot during a police chase in Shreveport. Against the backdrop of this tragic incident, “New York Post” reports Shamar Elkins may have been suffering from mental health issues.
The outlet noted that in the title of a recent Facebook post, Elkins prayed to God to “protect his mind.” While it’s unclear what the prayer was about, the New York Post reports it may have been about his mental health. It’s worth noting that as of now, Shreveport authorities have not confirmed whether Elkins suffered from mental health issues and whether that was related to the incident.
“Dear God, today I ask you to help me guard my thoughts and emotions,” the April 9 post reads. “When negativity arises, remind me, ‘In Jesus’ name, it does not belong to me.'”
Also read: Shamar Elkins posts message about wife and marriage days before Louisiana shooting
“When depression tries to settle, when anger rises, when anxiety or panic sets in, please let me recognize what is not from you and reject its power immediately in the name of Jesus,” he added.
Deceased children often appear on social media
Authorities have confirmed that some of the children shot and killed by Shamar Elkins were his “descendants.” Shreveport police said the two injured women were also related to Elkins, but did not specify the relationship.
Elkins frequently posts information about his family and children on his Facebook profile. Just hours before the shooting on Sunday morning, he shared a photo of himself and his eldest daughter visiting a burger joint. Last week, he posted a photo with his seven children and said in the caption that the photo was taken after spending Easter with them at church.
In one of his recent posts, he also hinted marriage trouble. He wrote: “Dads, if you could go back in time and have children with a different woman but still have the same child, would you do it?” The details of the question, if any, remain unclear.
Meanwhile, Shreveport Mayor Tom Arsenault told CNN it was unclear whether Elkins died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or was shot by a police officer. No officers were injured during the response.
