A 31-year-old man is accused of fatally shooting his seven children and their cousin in Louisiana on Sunday morning, marking one of the deadliest mass shootings in the nation in over two years.

The victims ranged in age from 3 to 11 years old. The youngest, Jayla, was 3, while the others killed were 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.

What Led to the Shooting

Investigators said the suspect had recently told his wife, who sustained serious injuries in the incident, that he wanted a divorce and was battling what police described as “dark thoughts.” A relative named Marcus Jackson recalled speaking with the man, who said, “Some people don’t come back from their demons,” Jackson told local media outlets.

The suspect served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from an unspecified start date until 2020, holding positions as a signal support systems specialist and fire support specialist at the rank of private, according to an Army spokesperson. He was never deployed during his service.

Criminal History

Court records show the man had at least two prior criminal convictions, including weapons-related charges and a DUI arrest in 2016. Details of the weapons-related convictions were not immediately disclosed by authorities.