Montana Family Dinner Shooting Leaves Eight Dead, Including Four Children

 

BILLINGS, MONTANA — A family gathering in Billings, Montana, ended in tragedy after a man allegedly killed eight of his relatives, including four children, during a Sunday dinner before the home was set on fire.

According to family members who spoke to the Associated Press, 44-year-old Alan Smith had been asked by his parents to move out of their home several weeks earlier. Investigators say he returned to the property on Sunday evening while relatives were gathered for their regular family dinner and opened fire.

The victims reportedly represented four generations of the same blended family, with ages ranging from a great-grandmother in her 90s to a seven-year-old child.

Among those killed were Megan Ghekiere and four children: Owen Ireland, 13, Chloe Ireland, 7, Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12. Family representatives said Charlotte managed to call 911 during the attack and described her as a hero for attempting to get help for her family.

Police arrived at the property after receiving reports of gunfire and found the house engulfed in flames. Firefighters were eventually able to tackle the blaze, but the building was severely damaged, complicating investigators' efforts to establish exactly what happened inside.

Smith also died from what investigators described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police have continued examining the circumstances surrounding the killings, including what may have led to the attack.

Family members described the victims as a close and loving family and said the tragedy had devastated relatives, friends and the wider Billings community.

The incident has renewed concerns about deadly violence arising from domestic and family disputes. The Associated Press reported that the Montana killings were the 22nd mass killing recorded in the United States in 2026, according to its database maintained with USA Today and Northeastern University.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and fire.

This report is based on information available from the Associated Press and other reports published on August 25–26, 2026.