Billings Family Shooting Leaves Eight Dead as Investigators Search Burned Home

Authorities investigate shooting and fires at suburban Billings home

BILLINGS, Mont. — Eight people from four generations of one family were killed during a Sunday dinner gathering at a home on the outskirts of Billings, where authorities say a 44-year-old man opened fire, set multiple fires and later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after officers arrived.

Investigators continued to sift through the charred wreckage Wednesday, shovelful by shovelful, as they worked to establish a full timeline and determine what prompted the Billings family shooting. Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell said the inquiry may never answer every question because the people with the most direct knowledge of the attack are dead.

“There’s many questions that will come from this investigation,” O’Donnell said at a news conference. “Some of those questions we probably won’t ever be able to answer.”

Authorities identified the shooter as Alan Smith, 44. The sheriff said Smith killed his grandmother, his parents, his younger sister and her children before taking his own life. Smith had previously lived at the home but had been asked to move out several weeks before the attack, according to police and relatives.

Children and grandparents among the victims

The dead included Smith’s parents, Dana Smith and Barb Smith; his 92-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Smith; and his sister, Megan Ghekiere, 39. Dana Smith had retired from the Air Force and Boeing, while Barb Smith was a retired teacher. Evelyn Smith used a wheelchair and lived in a nearby retirement community.

Megan Ghekiere’s four children also died: Owen Ireland, 13; Chloe Ireland, 12; Landon Ghekiere, 15; and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12. Owen’s father, Brad Ireland, described him as a devoted older brother and Chloe’s protector. Landon had planned to seek his driver’s license this week, while neighbor and family friend Jennifer Mercer said Charlotte loved nature, especially insects.

Adam Ghekiere, Megan’s husband and the children’s stepfather, was at work when the killings occurred, authorities said. The family had roots in the Seattle area before relocating to Montana. Ireland said Megan moved to Montana with Owen and Chloe after their parents divorced, later marrying Adam Ghekiere.

O’Donnell said law enforcement had not previously been called to the residence and had no prior contact with Alan Smith. Ireland described Smith as withdrawn and said he spent much of his time on a computer. He told The Associated Press that relatives had voiced concerns about Smith, who had attended Eastern Washington University but struggled to find or keep work.

Officers arrived as smoke and gunfire erupted

Smith arrived in the neighborhood at about 5:49 p.m. Sunday, according to the sheriff. Shortly after 6 p.m., a female inside the home called 911. O’Donnell said investigators could not confirm the caller’s identity, but Mercer said Charlotte made the call while trying to help her family.

The first officers to reach the property encountered Smith, who ran back inside, O’Donnell said. Officers then heard additional gunfire and saw smoke rising from the house. Smith later ran into the backyard and fatally shot himself, authorities said.

The home was quickly consumed by fire. Firefighters had to bring water to the scene because homes in the neighborhood rely on wells and no hydrants were required in the area. Investigators have recovered weapons but have not publicly identified the firearms or said how many were used. Autopsies were still underway Wednesday.

A growing memorial near the neighborhood mailboxes includes teddy bears, flowers, balloons, family photographs and handwritten messages from community members. A candlelight vigil was planned for Thursday night. Billings Mayor Mike Nelson said the deaths had reverberated across the city of about 120,000 people, where many residents feel some connection to the victims.

Investigators from the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office remain focused on processing the burned home and reviewing evidence. Authorities have said they have some indication of a possible motive but have not released details, and the investigation remains ongoing.