A 31-year-old man was arrested after shooting and killing seven of his own children and their cousin in Louisiana on Sunday, marking one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United States in over two years.

The shooting occurred in Caddo Parish, with victims ranging in age from 3 to 11 years old. The youngest victim, Jayla, was 3 years old, while other children killed included Shayla Elkins (5), Kayla Pugh (6), Layla Pugh (7), Markaydon Pugh (10), Sariahh Snow (11), Khedarrion Snow (6), and Braylon Snow (5), according to the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office. The man’s wife suffered serious injuries during the incident.

What Authorities Discovered

Investigators found that the suspect had recently told his wife he wanted a divorce and was experiencing what authorities described as “dark thoughts.” A relative, Marcus Jackson, recalled a conversation with the suspect in which the man stated, “Some people don’t come back from their demons.”

The suspect served in the Louisiana Army National Guard as a signal support systems specialist and fire support specialist before leaving the military in 2020 at the rank of private. An Army spokesperson confirmed he was never deployed.

Background and Prior Incidents

Court records show the suspect had at least two prior criminal convictions, including weapons-related charges and a 2016 DUI arrest. These prior offenses raised questions about how he obtained the firearm used in the shooting.