# Montana family shooting and house fire

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montana-family-shooting-and-house-fire
> Updated: 2026-09-02T23:55:01.000Z. Sources: 118. Developments: 3.

In Billings, Montana, 44-year-old Alan Michael Smith allegedly shot eight family members during a Sunday dinner before setting the residence on fire and taking his own life. The victims, spanning four generations, included Smith’s parents, Dana Smith (73) and Barbara Smith (72), his sister, Megan Ireland-Ghekiere (39), his 92-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Smith, and four children: Landon Ghekiere (15), Owen Ireland (13), Charlotte Ghekiere (12), and Chloe Ireland (7).

Authorities in Yellowstone County indicated the motive may have been a dispute regarding Smith’s living situation, as family members had reportedly asked him to move out of his parents’ home several weeks prior. Following the shooting, Smith reportedly attempted to flee before being confronted by police. Emergency responders faced difficulties at the scene due to the active shooter situation and a lack of sufficient fire hydrants in the subdivision, which resulted in the home being entirely consumed by flames.

Following the incident, obituaries were released for the victims. Family tributes highlighted the actions of the children; 12-year-old Charlotte Ghekiere was noted for making a 911 call that likely assisted first responders, while her 15-year-old brother, Landon Ghekiere, was described as having “heroically protected his younger sister during the attack.”

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Montana mass shooting victims identified after eight family members killed

Obituaries for eight family members killed in an August 23 mass shooting near Billings, Montana, reveal details of the victims' lives and the bravery shown during the attack.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montana-mass-shooting-victims-identified-after-eight-family-members-killed

### 2026-08-27: Montana man kills eight family members during Sunday dinner

A man killed eight family members, including four children, during a Sunday dinner in Montana before setting the house on fire and committing suicide.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/montana-man-kills-eight-family-members-during-dinner

### 2026-08-24: Billings, Montana: Eight family members killed in shooting and fire

Eight family members, including four children, were killed in a shooting and subsequent house fire in Billings, Montana. The suspect, 44-year-old Alan Smith, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

112 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/billings-montana-shooting-and-house-fire-leave-multiple-dead

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Cite as: Montana family shooting and house fire. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montana-family-shooting-and-house-fire