SHREVEPORT — Summer Grove Baptist Church in Shreveport held a funeral service for eight children killed in an April 19 mass shooting, with mourners filing past eight white caskets topped with gold crowns and bouquets of white flowers. Large photos of the children stood next to each casket as a choir behind the altar and individual singers performed throughout the service.

The victims, who ranged in age from 3 to 11, included seven siblings shot by their father and one of their cousins. Shamar Elkins, a National Guard veteran with a 2019 felony firearms conviction, used an assault-style weapon in the shooting that stretched across two houses in a Shreveport neighborhood. His wife, who was seeking a divorce, and another woman were wounded. Elkins died after fleeing and being pursued by police, who said it was not clear whether he was killed by officers who fired or by a self-inflicted gunshot. The investigation is ongoing into what was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. in more than two years.

The funeral pamphlet described 3-year-old Jayla Elkins as "Jaybae," 6-year-old Kayla Pugh as "K-Mae," and 10-year-old Mar'Kaydon Pugh as "K-Bug." It described 7-year-old Layla Pugh as "bright, intelligent, bold, and full of love" and said she enjoyed making TikTok videos with her siblings and cousins. The pamphlet said 6-year-old Khedarrion Snow had "a sweet and loving heart" and that "though his life on earth was short, his light was mighty."

Bishop Bernard Kimble, senior pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, addressed the congregation during the service. "In spite of how you may be feeling today, we still need to know that God is still good," Kimble said. He later prayed, "Help us as we move from this spot, because we know, oh God, grief is only temporary. And if we'll put our hands in your favor, you'll lead us through this."

Pastor and gospel singer Kim Burrell also spoke during the service. "To ask the question, 'Why is this fair, God? How could you, Lord?' He's still God," Burrell said. "The same God that healed you from the stuff that you don't want to tell nobody about. But he is a God that doesn't have to give us all the clues. Just know that he makes no mistakes."

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order instituting an official state mourning period for the children and ordered U.S. and state flags flown at half-staff over the next week at the Capitol and state government buildings. "It is incumbent upon us to honor the memory of those lost by standing together against such senseless violence," Landry said. In a post on X, he wrote, "Today we enter into a period of mourning for the 8 innocent children who lost their lives in Shreveport last month." He also named each child: "We will never forget the precious lives of Jayla Elkins (3), Shayla Elkins (5), Kayla Pugh (6), Layla Pugh (7), Markaydon Pugh (10), Braylon Snow (5), Khedarrion Snow (6) and Sariahh Snow (11). May they rest in eternal peace."

Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords attended the funeral service. Members of Giving A Child A Dream, from Orangeburg, South Carolina, traveled 12 hours to Shreveport to honor the eight lives lost. Buses were made available after the service to transport mourners to a graveside burial.