Billings, Mont. – A tragic family gathering in Billings ended in a mass killing on Sunday evening when 44‑year‑old Alan Smith returned to a home where his parents had recently asked him to move out. Smith opened fire on relatives gathered for a weekly dinner, killing eight people, including four children, before turning the gun on himself.
Victims and family background
The victims spanned four generations of a blended family. Among the dead were great‑grandmother Evelyn Smith, in her 90s and using a wheelchair; Smith’s parents, Dana and Barb Smith; his younger sister; and four children ranging from 7‑year‑old Chloe Ireland to 15‑year‑old Landon Ghekiere. Brad Ireland, whose former wife Megan Ghekiere and their two children Owen (13) and Chloe (7) were also killed, identified the shooter to police.
Family friend and neighbor Jennifer Mercer, who organized an online fundraiser for funeral costs, said the family was “very loving and close,” and praised 12‑year‑old Charlotte Ghekiere for calling 911 and trying to protect her relatives.
Police and fire response
Billings Police responded to reports of gunshots coming from the back of the house just before the structure was engulfed in flames. Investigators confirmed eight fatalities and a self‑inflicted gunshot wound to the suspect, who later died at the scene. Firefighters battled the blaze until around 1 a.m., but the home was reduced to its foundation. The subdivision lies outside municipal limits and lacks fire hydrants, which delayed firefighting efforts.
Possible motives and warning signs
According to Ireland, who now lives in Arizona, Smith had been a “hermit” who spent most of his time alone in his room on the computer. He had attended Eastern Washington University but struggled to find steady employment. Ireland said Smith had no prior criminal record and was not known to be violent, though he could be verbally abusive. “There were many red flags and many people spoke out,” Ireland said, adding that no one listened.
Authorities are still investigating the exact motive, but the incident appears to be rooted in a domestic dispute after Smith’s parents asked him to leave their home weeks earlier.
Context of rising domestic‑related mass killings
The Billings shooting is the 22nd mass killing in the United States this year, according to a database maintained by the Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University. Fifteen of those incidents have stemmed from domestic disputes, a proportion higher than the typical 50 % share of mass killings linked to family conflict, said criminologist James Alan Fox.
The tragedy follows the deadliest U.S. mass killing since April, when a father in Louisiana shot eight children, including seven of his own.
Community response
Local residents expressed shock and grief, with many saying they felt the loss even though they did not know the family personally. Mercer noted, “I feel like our entire community is devastated.” A fundraiser has been set up to assist the surviving relatives with funeral expenses and other needs.
Investigators continue to examine the scene for evidence, while the Billings Police Department cautions that the structural integrity of the burned house remains a concern.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
