Mom who lost 3 kids in Louisiana shooting still has a bullet lodged in her face, cousin says

A mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, left eight children dead and two women injured, including Christina Snow, who remains hospitalized with a bullet lodged in her face. The attack occurred early Sunday morning when the gunman, identified as a former National Guardsman named Elkins, opened fire across multiple locations. Snow lost her three young children in the shooting, and her cousin described her as a devoted mother who is now struggling with memory issues as she recovers. The victims included seven of Elkins’ children and a cousin, ranging in age from three to eleven years old. The violence began on Harrison Street just before 6 a.m. when Elkins shot a woman and then fled with the children. Police Chief Wayne Smith confirmed that Elkins carjacked a person at gunpoint during the incident and later died, though details surrounding his death remain unclear. Snow’s cousin revealed that despite the bullet passing through her nose, doctors opted against surgery due to the risks involved. Snow is able to speak but experiences memory lapses, sometimes forgetting the tragic loss of her children. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting. Elkins had a prior conviction for illegal firearm use from 2019, which likely barred him from legally possessing guns. Federal prosecutors have since arrested another individual connected to the firearm used in the attack. Relatives noted that Elkins had recently sought mental health treatment at a local Veterans Affairs medical center, where he stayed for over a week. Family members described Elkins as a distant figure who occasionally appeared at gatherings but did not have close ties with Snow or others involved. The tragedy has deeply affected the Shreveport community, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence, mental health, and the challenges faced by veterans. The loss of so many young lives in a single incident has sparked mourning and calls for further investigation into the circumstances that led to the shooting.