Eight members of a family, including four children, were killed during a Sunday dinner at a home near Billings, Montana. Police said the suspected gunman, 44-year-old Alan Smith, later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The house became fully engulfed in flames shortly after officers responded to reports of an active shooting. A relative said Smith’s parents had asked him to leave the property weeks before the killings.
The victims included children between 7 and 15 years old, Smith’s parents and his grandmother. Investigators and firefighters continued working at the heavily damaged property while relatives and neighbors described the family as close and supportive. Authorities have not publicly identified a motive.
| 1) | Sunday dinner shooting and fire |
| 2) | The eight victims |
| 3) | Family tensions before the attack |
| 4) | Emergency response and investigation |
| 5) | Community response and family losses |
Sunday dinner shooting and fire
Billings police said officers received a 911 call about an active shooting at 6:01 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, at a residence in a subdivision outside Billings. Officers reported hearing gunfire from the back of the house. Within minutes, the property was fully on fire, complicating efforts to secure the scene and locate the victims.
Investigators identified Alan Smith as the suspected shooter. Police said he died after sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The circumstances leading to the shooting and the fire remained under investigation, and officials had not announced a motive.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy.”
The eight victims
The victims were identified as Megan Ghekiere, her children Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7, and her stepchildren, Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12. Also killed were Smith’s parents, Dana Smith and Barb Smith, and his grandmother, Evelyn Smith.
The children were connected through their family relationships and had gathered for a meal. Adam Ghekiere, Megan’s current husband and the father of Landon and Charlotte, was working at the time and was not at the home. He said the children were not normally expected at the property on Sunday because the family usually held dinner on Fridays.
Family tensions before the attack
Brad Ireland, Megan’s former husband and the father of Owen and Chloe, said Smith had lived with his parents for years. Ireland said Smith’s parents asked him to move out several weeks before the shooting. He described Smith as a withdrawn person who spent much of his time in his room using a computer.
Ireland said he knew of no previous violence by Smith, although he described Smith as sometimes verbally abusive. Smith had attended Eastern Washington University but reportedly struggled to find and keep employment. The Smith family had originally lived in the Seattle area before relocating to Montana.
Emergency response and investigation
Firefighters battled the blaze until about 1 a.m. Monday, according to Fire Chief Matt Hoppel. The home was located in an area outside city limits that was not required to have fire hydrants, adding to the challenges of fighting the fire. The structure was left unstable and extensively damaged.
Police said recovery and investigative work had to be conducted carefully because of the building’s condition and structural integrity. The response involved both law enforcement and fire crews, with investigators examining the shooting, the deaths and the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
Community response and family losses
Neighbors and family friends described the victims as part of a loving and close family. Jennifer Mercer, a neighbor and family friend who organized an online fundraiser for funeral and related expenses, said the children had strong relationships with one another.
“Charlotte called 911 and she tried to save her family.”
Adam Ghekiere said he learned of the shooting through a dispatch radio while working at the Billings airport. He called relatives, drove to the property and found the house burning. About two hours later, he learned that his wife and children had died.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Eight relatives, including four children, died in the attack. |
| 2 | The suspected gunman, Alan Smith, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. |
| 3 | The home burned soon after police responded to an active-shooting call. |
| 4 | Smith’s parents had reportedly asked him to move out weeks earlier. |
| 5 | Authorities continued a methodical investigation because the fire damaged the structure. |
Summary
The Montana shooting and house fire destroyed a family gathering and left eight relatives dead. Investigators are examining the gunfire, the blaze and the events involving Alan Smith before the attack. Relatives and neighbors are now focused on identifying the victims, supporting survivors and covering funeral expenses while the investigation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people were killed?
Eight relatives were killed, including four children, three older members of the Smith family and Megan Ghekiere.
When did the shooting occur?
Police received an active-shooting call at 6:01 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026.
What happened to the suspected shooter?
Police said Alan Smith died after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities had not announced a motive.
