A man shot dead eight of his relatives, including four children, during a Sunday family dinner in Billings, Montana, before the house they were in went up in flames. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Alan Smith, later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, investigators confirmed on Tuesday (August 25).
The victims spanned four generations of the mixed family, ranging from a great-grandmother in her 90s who used a wheelchair to a 7-year-old girl, according to neighbour and family friend Jennifer Mercer. The shooting occurred on Sunday evening (August 23) at a home in a subdivision outside city limits.
Police arrive to gunshots and fire
Police arrived at the home on Sunday evening and heard gunshots coming from the back, just before the house was entirely engulfed in flames. Investigators confirmed on Tuesday that there were eight victims, including four children, and that the suspect had suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later died.
The investigation has been complicated by worries about the structural integrity of the house after the fire reduced it to its foundation, stated Jeff Stovall, a spokesperson for the Billings Police Department. Firefighters battled the inferno until around 1am Monday (August 24), as per Billings Fire Department Chief Matt Hoppel. The house is located in a subdivision outside city limits that isn't required to have fire hydrants.
Family history and suspect's background
Brad Ireland, whose ex-wife and two children were among the deceased, identified the gunman as Alan Smith. Smith's parents, who were also victims, had asked him to leave, but he returned on Sunday and began shooting. Ireland said that after he and Megan Ghekiere divorced six years ago, she moved to Montana with their children. That's where she met the man who would become her second husband, Adam Ghekiere, who was working and not at the home when the shooting took place.
Her parents, Dana and Barb Smith, soon followed suit, purchasing a house in Billings close to their daughter's residence. Dana's elderly mother, Evelyn Smith, resided in a nearby retirement community, according to Ireland. Alan Smith moved in with his parents in Montana and lived with them for several years before being asked to leave a few weeks ago, Ireland revealed. He made an unexpected return to the home on Sunday evening, where the Smiths were gathered for their regular family meal.
Victims and heroism
Alan Smith killed his grandmother, his parents, his younger sister and the four children before setting the house ablaze, Ireland disclosed. He attempted to escape but was intercepted by law enforcement, he added. Those who perished included Ireland's former wife, Megan Ghekiere, and their two youngsters, Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7. The victims also included Ghekiere's two stepchildren from her current marriage: Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12.
"The one thing we do know is that Charlotte was the hero," Mercer said. "Charlotte called 911 and she tried to save her family. And that's something the family does want out there." She portrayed the family as "very loving and close," noting that all the children were fond of each other and their parents maintained a friendly relationship despite their divorce.
"There were many red flags and many people spoke out," said Ireland, who resides in Arizona. "No one listened." Alan Smith was a "hermit" who spent most of his time in his room on his computer. Ireland stated: "No one knew what he did in there 24/7." Alan Smith had attended Eastern Washington University but had struggled to secure or maintain employment. A search of criminal records in Montana and Washington found no evidence that Alan Smith had ever been arrested or charged with a crime.
Community response and aftermath
Adam Ghekiere, employed at Billings airport, revealed he discovered the active shooting through a dispatch radio. After contacting every family member, he rushed across the city to the Smith residence. Upon arrival, the house was engulfed in flames, and two hours later, he discovered his wife and children had died. His children weren't meant to be present as family meals typically occurred on Friday, he explained. "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."
Ghekiere revealed that police confirmed it was his daughter, Charlotte, who made the 911 call from within the house. "I keep hearing her quote to me every time I would say 'I love you' and she would say 'I love you more,'" he shared. Supporters of the victims have established two GoFundMe campaigns to collect donations for Adam Ghekiere and his former partner, Erica Schneider.
