Just a few weeks earlier, on Easter Sunday, Elkins phoned his mother, Mahelia Elkins, and his stepfather, Marcus Jackson, expressing alarming concerns. He told them he was overwhelmed by “dark thoughts,” felt suicidal, and said his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh, was seeking a divorce, according to the New York Times.
Jackson recalled trying to reassure him: “I told him, ‘You can get through anything. No matter what you’re facing, you can beat it.’” He added that Elkins responded, “Some people don’t come back from their demons.”
Mahelia Elkins said she wasn’t aware of the specific issues between her son and his wife, whom he married in 2024 and shared four children with, the Times reported.
A relative of one of the injured women said the couple had been in the process of separating and were scheduled to appear in court on Monday. During an argument about the breakdown of their relationship, Elkins — who was later fatally shot by police — allegedly opened fire, Crystal Brown told the Associated Press.
According to the Times, Elkins worked for UPS and previously served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020, where he held roles as a signal support systems specialist and fire support specialist. A coworker described him as a caring father but noted he often appeared under significant stress and had a habit of pulling out his hair, leaving a noticeable bald patch, the publication said.
Elkins’ mother also shared that she had reconnected with him over a decade ago after he had been raised by a family friend, Betty Walker. She explained that she gave birth to him as a teenager while struggling with a crack cocaine addiction. Walker said she did not witness the shooting on Sunday morning but was aware that Elkins had shot his wife multiple times in the head and abdomen, according to the newspaper. She added that she last saw him during a family dinner the previous weekend and did not notice anything unusual about his behavior at the time.
A relative of one of the wounded women reiterated that the couple was in the midst of separation proceedings and expected in court Monday. Crystal Brown told the Associated Press that the two had been arguing about their impending split when Elkins, who was later killed by police, began shooting.
The Times again noted that Elkins was employed at UPS and had served in the Louisiana Army National Guard between 2013 and 2020 in technical and fire support roles. A coworker described him as a dedicated father but frequently stressed, adding that he would pull out his hair, which resulted in a permanent bald spot, the report said.
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