BILLINGS, MT — Investigators are combing through the burned remains of a Billings-area home where four generations of one family were killed during a Sunday dinner gathering. The scene was still being searched Wednesday as crews looked for evidence that could help explain how the deadly attack unfolded.
Authorities say Alan Smith, 44, killed his grandmother, his parents, his younger sister and her children before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after police arrived. Multiple fires were set inside the suburban house, and the blaze quickly destroyed much of the property on the outskirts of Billings.
Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell said some questions may never be answered because the people who knew what happened are dead.
Sheriff says the attack began after a 911 call from inside the house
O’Donnell said Smith arrived in the neighborhood at 5:49 p.m. Sunday. Just after 6 p.m., one of the women inside the home called 911, although he said he could not confirm who placed the call. Neighbor Jennifer Mercer identified the caller as 12-year-old Charlotte, saying she tried to save her family.
When officers reached the home, they confronted Smith and he ran back inside. Police then heard gunfire and saw smoke coming from the house. Smith later ran into the backyard and shot himself, according to authorities.
The fire then spread fast. Because the surrounding neighborhood relies on wells and does not have required hydrants, firefighters had to bring in water by truck to battle the flames.
Victims included parents, children and an elderly grandmother in nearby care
The dead included Owen and Chloe Ireland, along with their stepsiblings, Landon and Charlotte Ghekiere. Owen, 13, was described by his father as a “perfect big brother” and as Chloe’s protector. Chloe was 12, Landon was 15 and was expected to get his driver’s license this week, and Charlotte was 12 and loved nature, especially insects.
Also killed were Megan Ghekiere, 39, who worked in health care, and her parents, Dana and Barb Smith. Dana Smith was retired from the Air Force and Boeing, while Barb Smith was a retired teacher. The eighth victim was Evelyn Smith, 92, Dana’s mother, who used a wheelchair and lived in a nearby retirement community.
Brad Ireland, the father of Owen and Chloe, said Megan Ghekiere had moved to Montana after their divorce six years ago and later married Adam Ghekiere, who was at work when the attack happened.
Investigators recover weapons and preserve items found in the wreckage
Police said they recovered weapons at the scene, but O’Donnell did not describe them or say what type of gun or guns Smith used. Investigators said they had “some idea” what may have motivated the attack, but law enforcement is concentrating on the crime scene before drawing conclusions.
Among the items found in the wreckage were a photo album that was largely intact and a family Bible that was almost completely unscathed. O’Donnell said those small signs stood out amid the damage as investigators worked shovelful by shovelful through the debris.
Police had not been called to the home before and had no previous contact with Smith, the sheriff said. Autopsies were still being completed.
Billings residents gather around memorials and prepare for a vigil
At the neighborhood mailboxes, a memorial has grown with teddy bears, family photos, flowers, balloons and a notebook where people can leave messages. One classmate wrote that they were sorry they would not see the children at school this year, O’Donnell said.
Neighbors have also brought water and food to the responders working at the fire scene. O’Donnell said the support has been steady as crews continue sorting through the remains of the home.
A candlelight vigil was planned for Thursday night. Billings Mayor Mike Nelson said the deaths have shaken the city of about 120,000, adding that many residents have some connection to the family or feel the loss personally.
From the Twin Cities to the border and back, Travel Your Way keeps Minnesota informed.