Eight members of a blended family, including four children, were killed Sunday evening during a weekly family dinner outside Billings, Montana, after a relative opened fire and set the home ablaze

BILLINGS, Mont. — Eight members of a blended family, including four children, were killed Sunday evening during a weekly family dinner outside Billings, Montana, after a relative opened fire and set the home ablaze.

Authorities confirmed Tuesday that the suspect, identified by family as 44-year-old Alan Smith, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the attack.

The victims represent four generations of a single family, ranging in age from a great-grandmother in her 90s to a 7-year-old girl.

THE INCIDENT AND RESPONSE

Police officers responded to the residence on White Star Circle on Sunday evening following a 911 call placed by 12-year-old Charlotte Ghekiere, who attempted to save her family from inside the house. Upon arrival around 6:12 p.m., responding officers heard gunshots coming from the back of the property.

Moments later, the residence was completely engulfed in flames.

Firefighting operations were delayed while law enforcement secured the perimeter. Because the property sits in a subdivision outside municipal limits without required fire hydrants, crews battled the inferno until 1 a.m. Monday. The house was burned to its foundation, creating severe structural integrity concerns that have complicated crime scene recovery and forensic investigations.

THE VICTIMS

Family friend Jennifer Mercer and relative Brad Ireland identified the victims killed in the tragedy:

• Dana and Barb Smith, parents of the shooter.

• Evelyn Smith, in her 90s, the shooter's grandmother who resided in a nearby retirement community.

• Megan Ghekiere, 38, the shooter's younger sister.

• Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7, children of Megan Ghekiere and Brad Ireland.

• Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, stepchildren of Megan Ghekiere.

Megan’s husband, Adam Ghekiere, was at work at the time of the shooting and was not at the home.

SUSPECT BACKGROUND

According to family members, Alan Smith had lived with his parents for years before they asked him to move out of their home a few weeks prior. He returned unannounced on Sunday as the family gathered for their regular weekly meal.

Ireland described Smith as a reclusive "hermit" who spent most of his time isolated in his room on his computer. A background search revealed no prior criminal history or arrests in Montana or Washington state.

"There were many red flags and many people spoke out," Ireland said. "No one listened."

NATIONAL CONTEXT

This incident marks the 22nd mass killing in the United States in 2026, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University.

Fifteen of this year's mass killings have involved domestic disputes—a figure significantly higher than the historical annual average of roughly 50%. It stands as the deadliest mass shooting incident in the U.S. since April.

Community members in Yellowstone County have launched online fundraising campaigns to support surviving family members with funeral costs and emergency expenses.