Alan Smith kills eight family members across four generations in Billings, Montana

Attack during Sunday dinner

On Sunday evening, 44-year-old Alan Smith returned to his parents' home on the outskirts of Billings, Montana, while four generations of his family were gathered for dinner. Smith arrived in the neighborhood at 5:49 p.m. before entering the residence and opening fire on the eight relatives present. Just after 6:00 p.m., an emergency call was placed from inside the home. Responding law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, heard gunshots coming from the rear of the property, and discovered heavy smoke pouring from the structure. Multiple fires had been set inside the building, and Smith was found outside with a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound shortly after police arrived. Investigators found the house burned down to its foundation, leaving recovery teams to sift through rubble to locate the remains of the eight victims.

Four generations of victims

The eight victims ranged in age from 7 to 92 years old and represented four generations of the extended family. Among those killed were Smith's parents, Dana Smith, a retiree from the Air Force and Boeing, and Barb Smith, a retired schoolteacher. Dana's 92-year-old mother, Evelyn Smith, who used a wheelchair and lived at a nearby retirement community, was also killed. Smith shot his 39-year-old sister Megan Ghekiere, a healthcare worker, along with four children. The children included Megan's 13-year-old son Owen Ireland, described by his father as his sister's protector, and 7-year-old daughter Chloe Ireland. The attack also claimed Megan's stepsiblings Landon Ghekiere, 15, who planned to take his driver's test this week, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, an avid lover of nature and insects. Family friend Jennifer Mercer commended Charlotte for her actions during the assault.

Charlotte called 911 and tried to save the family. She was a hero.

Emergency response and investigation

Firefighting crews faced immediate challenges because the suburban residential complex sat outside Billings city limits in an area without fire hydrants. Firefighters could not immediately enter the burning structure until officers secured the active shooting scene, which allowed the flames to rapidly escalate and consume the home. Billings Fire Chief Matt Hoppel reported that emergency crews battled the blaze until approximately 1:00 a.m. on Monday. Police spokesperson Jeff Stovall and forensic investigators stated that compromised structural integrity would require several days to safely recover all human remains. Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O'Donnell noted during a Wednesday press briefing that deputies had never responded to prior calls at the residence and had no previous contact with Smith.

There's many questions that will come from this investigation. Some of those questions we probably won't ever be able to answer, because all the parties that will have those answers are not here to answer them for us.

Family history and community mourning

The family moved to Montana from the Seattle area six years ago after Megan Ghekiere divorced her first husband, Brad Ireland. Her parents followed to purchase a home nearby, where Alan Smith moved in and lived in isolation for years behind his computer. According to Ireland, Smith had been asked by his parents weeks earlier to find employment and vacate the premises. Megan's second husband, Adam Ghekiere, was at work when the shooting occurred and arrived at the property to find the home fully ablaze. Following the tragedy, neighbors and community members organized fundraising efforts to cover funeral costs and planned a candlelight vigil for Thursday night to honor the victims.