BILLINGS — Alan Smith, 44, was identified as the shooter. He suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and died after being taken to a hospital.

Police responded to the home just after 6 p.m. on Sunday following reports of a shooting and family disturbance. Smith returned to the home on Sunday evening when the family was gathered for dinner.

Brad Ireland identified the shooter as Smith. Smith's parents had asked him to move out weeks before the shooting.

Megan Ghekiere, Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7, were among those killed. Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, were among those killed.

The victims represented four generations of the blended family. Smith killed his grandmother, his parents, and his younger sister.

Ghekiere called 911 from inside the house. Adam Ghekiere was working and not at the home when the shooting occurred.

Ghekiere works at the airport in Billings. "I don't think he expected my kids to be there," Ghekiere said.

Jennifer Mercer is a neighbor and family friend. "The one thing we do know is that Charlotte was the hero," Mercer said.

A GoFundMe for Ghekiere had raised nearly $100,000 by Wednesday morning. A separate GoFundMe launched on behalf of Landon Ghekiere and Ghekiere has raised more than $60,000.

When the fire was observed in the structure, fire suppression efforts took priority as the fire blocked any reasonable attempt to rescue or recover victims. Firefighters fought the blaze until around 1 a.m. Monday. The home is located in a subdivision outside city limits that is not required to have fire hydrants.

"So ask for patience as we complete this investigation," Kent O’Donnell said. Jeff Stovall is a sergeant with the Billings Police Department.

"First and foremost, the Billings Police Department extends our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this awful tragedy," Stovall said. "Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time."

There were many red flags and many people spoke out. "No one listened," Brad Ireland said.

Smith had attended Eastern Washington University. A search of criminal records in Montana and Washington found no record Smith had ever been arrested or charged with a crime.

Timeline

Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Ghekiere, 12, were among those killed. Smith suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and died after being taken to a hospital.

Smith, 44, was identified as the shooter.

What's New

On August 23, 2026, Smith, 44, killed eight people, including four children, at a home in Billings, Montana, before setting the house on fire and dying by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Billings Police Department responded to the home on Sunday evening and heard gunshots coming from out back, just before the house was completely engulfed in flames. Assistant Chief Shawn Mayo of the Billings Police Department said that officers first arrived at the scene about 11 minutes after the 911 call and heard more gunshots.

The homicide investigation is being conducted by Yellowstone County in partnership with the Billings Police Department and multiple local, state and federal agencies. The investigation is being handled with the care this tragedy demands.

Because of the fire and obviously water that goes to suppress that fire, it’s going to slow our investigation of the crime scene recovery of evidence. So ask for patience as we complete this investigation. The delay in limited access presented significant challenges, fire conditions continued to worsen and the residents ultimately became … consumed by fire.

Why It Matters

FEMA has issued 154 federal disaster declarations for fire incidents in Montana since the programme began. The incident involved a multi-generational family and resulted in the deaths of four children, showing the scale of the tragedy within the community.