Bossier veteran's family says Cedar Grove shooter confessed to killings before suicide; being treated for PTSD

Police say Elkins shot and killed eight children — including seven of his own — and injured a ninth child and two women, including his wife, Shaniqua Elkins, inside a home on West 79th Street before leaving the scene.

Investigators say Elkins later carjacked a SUV and drove to Michael Mayence’s home in Bossier City.

Robert Mayence said his brother had no warning that Elkins was coming and was awakened by the encounter.

“He (Elkins) had made a comment about what he had done,” Robert Mayence said. “It was chaotic. Michael was scared.”

According to the family, the conversation lasted less than a minute.

Robert Mayence said his brother attempted to calm down Elkins and convince him to surrender peacefully, but believes Elkins had already decided how the situation would end.

“Even still after he’d done all those things, it could have ended peacefully,” he said. “But unfortunately, I think Shamar had already made up his mind.”

Louisiana State Police continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Elkins’ death. While authorities have not officially released a final determination, Michael Mayence wrote on social media that he witnessed Elkins die by suicide outside his home.

The family says the traumatic encounter has deeply affected Michael Mayence, an Iraq War veteran who already struggled with PTSD related to his military service.

“My brother’s got PTSD from having been to war, and then seeing that on your own front doorstep … it’s just a lot,” Robert Mayence said.

The interview comes as the Mayence family attempts to separate Michael Mayence from the crimes Elkins is accused of committing.

Federal agents later arrested Mayence on a separate charge of illegally possessing a firearm while being subject to a domestic violence injunction after investigators recovered several guns from his home during a search.

Court records show Mayence was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was under an active domestic violence protection order issued in October 2024.

Last week, a federal judge released Mayence on bond under strict conditions, including home confinement, electronic monitoring, and continued treatment through the VA Hospital.

Robert Mayence said online rumors and criticism surrounding his brother have been painful for the family.

“My brother is a great man. He’s a patriot. He’s served this country,” he said. “Unfortunately, because of these events and his being associated with Shamar, there have been things said that are not true.”

The family said they had known Elkins since he was a small child and described him as someone who admired Michael Mayence as a mentor and role model.

Robert Mayence also said his family never saw signs that Elkins was capable of such violence.

“From what my sister has said, Shamar was a good father,” he said. “He loved his kids. He didn’t want anyone else raising his kids.”

According to the family, Elkins and his wife visited Michael Mayence’s home less than 24 hours before the shootings to discuss problems in their relationship.

During the visit, Elkins returned an old military officer’s hat that Michael Mayence had given him years earlier while they were both connected to the Louisiana National Guard.

“Looking back now, you can draw conclusions to that because they say when people start giving away prized possessions, that can be a sign,” Robert Mayence said.

The family also said Elkins’ adoptive mother, known as Miss Betty, has struggled emotionally in the aftermath of the killings.

“As you can imagine, she’s kind of lost,” Robert Mayence said. “Nobody knows what would lead a person to do these things.”

Michael Mayence is scheduled to return to federal court on May 13.