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Faith leaders and politicians paid tribute at a funeral Saturday to eight children<\/a> who were killed in a mass shooting<\/a> last month in Louisiana.<\/p>\n The victims of the April 19 shooting in Shreveport included seven siblings who were shot by their father in an attack that also killed their cousin.<\/p>\n The service on Mother\u2019s Day weekend at Summer Grove Baptist Church began with a long procession of mourners slowly filing past eight white caskets with large photos of the children next to them. Gold crowns and bouquets of white flowers were placed on top of the closed caskets. A choir behind the altar and individual singers performed throughout the service.<\/p>\n \u201cIn spite of how you may be feeling today, we still need to know that God is still good,\u201d Bishop Bernard Kimble, senior pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church, said in opening remarks.<\/p>\n The funeral’s pamphlet contained tributes to each of the children<\/a>, who ranged in age from 3 to 11. Some of them had affectionate nicknames: 3-year-old Jayla Elkins was \u201cJaybae;\u201d Kayla Pugh, 6, was called \u201cK-Mae,\u201d and 10-year-old Mar\u2019Kaydon Pugh was \u201cK-Bug.\u201d<\/p>\n Six-year-old Khedarrion Snow had \u201ca sweet and loving heart,\u201d and \u201cthough his life on earth was short, his light was mighty,\u201d according to the pamphlet. Layla Pugh, 7, was \u201cbright, intelligent, bold, and full of love\u201d and enjoyed making TikTok videos with her siblings and cousins.<\/p>\n Pastor and gospel singer Kim Burrell reminded family and community members trying to make sense of the shootings that \u201cGod is still on the throne.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo ask the question, ‘Why is this fair, God? How could you, Lord?’ He\u2019s still God,\u201d Burrell said. \u201cThe same God that healed you from the stuff that you don\u2019t want to tell nobody about. But he is a God that doesn\u2019t have to give us all the clues. Just know that he makes no mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n The children\u2019s father, Shamar Elkins<\/a>, used an assault-style weapon despite a 2019 felony firearms conviction. His wife, who was seeking a divorce, and another woman were wounded in the shooting that stretched across two houses in a Shreveport neighborhood.<\/p>\n Elkins died after fleeing and a police pursuit. It was not clear whether he was killed by officers who fired or from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to police. <\/p>\n An investigation remains ongoing into the deadliest mass shooting<\/a> in the U.S. in more than two years.<\/p>\n During the service, other speakers included Shreveport Councilwoman Tabatha Taylor, who acknowledged that \u201cthere are no words sufficient to ease this pain,\u201d while Councilman James Green implored audience members to collectively \u201ctake off our funeral face\u201d because \u201cthis is a celebration\u201d of the children’s lives.<\/p>\n Indeed, churchgoers often stood clapping their hands in response to singers and speakers. The children’s names were read or shown several times throughout the service, where Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux expressed the city’s condolences.<\/p>\n \u201cMay we honor them by carrying forward the gentleness, joy and love they so freely shared,\u201d Arceneaux said. <\/p>\n Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff over the next week at the Capitol and state government buildings. A message read from Landry said the victims \u201cwere the light of their homes and the heart of their classrooms. They were full of promise and found joy in the simplest things, such as dancing, playing outside and sharing laughter with family and friends. Their futures were bright and held great promise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is incumbent upon us to honor the memory of those lost by standing together against such senseless violence.\u201d<\/p>\n Among those in attendance was former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords<\/a>, whose political career was cut short by a 2011 assassination attempt<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cShe just wanted to come and just let the family know that this pain is not just in Louisiana,\u201d said U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Louisiana. \u201cThis pain is all across the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n Buses were made available afterward to transport mourners to a graveside burial. At the conclusion of the church service, Kimble prayed for healing to begin.<\/p>\n \u201cHelp us as we move from this spot,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause we know, oh God, grief is only temporary. And if we’ll put our hands in your favor, you’ll lead us through this.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n