Montana family dinner shooting kills eight, including four children

A family dinner in Billings, Montana, turned deadly on Sunday night when a gunman opened fire, killing eight relatives across four generations, including four children, before setting the house ablaze and fatally shooting himself Source: ABC, El Mundo. The suspect, identified by a family member as Alan Smith, 44, had been asked to leave the home weeks earlier Source: Hoy, La Voz.

The attack

According to Brad Ireland, ex-husband of victim Megan Ghekiere, Smith returned unexpectedly during the weekly dinner and began shooting Source: Hoy. Police arriving at the scene heard gunshots from the backyard just before the house became engulfed in flames Source: El Mundo. Fire Chief Matt Hoppel said the fire hampered rescue efforts: "The delay due to limited access posed significant challenges, the fire conditions continued to worsen, and ultimately the residents were consumed by the flames" Source: ABC.

Victims and heroism

Among the dead were Megan Ghekiere and her children Chloe Ireland, 7, and Owen Ireland, 13, as well as Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12 Source: Hoy, La Voz. The victims spanned from a 92-year-old grandmother to a 7-year-old great-granddaughter Source: El Mundo. Family friend Jennifer Mercer said 12-year-old Charlotte called 911 during the attack, calling her "the hero" Source: La Voz.

Investigation and context

Authorities have identified the victims but are withholding names and ages as the investigation continues Source: EFE via Infobae. The fire and water used to extinguish it are slowing evidence recovery Source: Hoy. The shooting adds to a grim tally: 314 mass shootings in the U.S. this year, according to Gun Violence Archive Source: Excélsior. A background check found no prior arrests or charges against Smith Source: Hoy.