BILLINGS, Montana: The Billings, Montana, shooting left eight relatives dead, including four children, during a family gathering Sunday, August 23, according to police and family members.
The Associated Press identified the suspected gunman as 44-year-old Alan Smith, citing family member Brad Ireland. Investigators said Smith later died after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police responded to the home Sunday evening and heard gunfire from behind the property. The house then became engulfed in flames.
Billings Police Department spokesperson Jeff Stovall said the fire complicated the investigation because it severely damaged the structure.
Among those killed were Megan Ghekiere and four children: Owen Ireland, 13; Chloe Ireland, 7; Landon Ghekiere, 15; and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12.
Family friend Jennifer Mercer said Charlotte called 911 and tried to get help for the family.
The other victims included Smith’s parents, Dana and Barb Smith, and his grandmother, Evelyn Smith, who was in her 90s, according to family accounts cited by the AP.
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Ireland said Smith had lived with his parents for years before they asked him to move out several weeks earlier. He said Smith returned unexpectedly during the family’s weekly dinner. Authorities had not announced an official motive.
The shooting was the 22nd mass killing recorded in the United States this year, according to an Associated Press and USA Today database maintained with Northeastern University.
