A man k!lled eight of his relatives, including four children, as they gathered for dinner.
Police responded to the home on Sunday, August 23, and heard gunshots coming from the back of the home, just before the house was completely engulfed in flames.
Investigators confirmed Tuesday, August 25, that there were eight victims, including four children, and that the suspect had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later di£d.
Among those k!lled were Brad Ireland’s ex-wife, Megan Ghekiere, and their two children, Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7.
Also k!lled were Megan Ghekiere’s two stepchildren with her current husband Adam Ghekiere, identified as: Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12.
Brad Ireland, whose former wife and two children were among the de@d, identified the shooter as 44-year-old Alan Smith.
Smith’s parents, who were also k!lled, had asked him to move out, but he returned on Sunday and opened fire, Ireland said.
Neighbour Jennifer Mercer said: “The one thing we do know is that Charlotte was the hero.
“Charlotte called 911 and she tried to save her family. And that’s something the family does want out there.”
Ben said: “There were many red flags and many people spoke out. No one listened.”
Alan Smith was a “hermit” who spent most of his days in his room on his computer, Ireland said.
“No one knew what he did in there 24/7,” he said.
A statement from Billings police Sgt Jeff Stovall extended condolences “to everyone affected by this awful tragedy” while adding that authorities were intentionally limiting details about the case “to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation”.
The investigation has been complicated by concerns about the structural integrity of the house after the fire burned it to its foundation, said Jeff Stovall.
Friends of the victims have set up two GoFundMe accounts to raise money on behalf of Adam Ghekiere and his ex-wife, Erica Schneider.
Adam Ghekiere, who works at the airport in Billings, heard over a dispatch radio about an active shooting. After calling each member of his family, he raced across town to the Smith home.
Adam Ghekiere with wife Megan Ghekiere who was killed alongside their kids
When he got there, the house was ablaze, and two hours later, he learned his wife and children had been k!lled. His children weren’t supposed to be there because family dinner was usually on Friday, he said.
“I don’t think he expected my kids to be there,” Ghekiere said, referring to his brother-in-law. “Monster isn’t even enough to describe what he did.”