Full story
Sunday dinner massacre
A gunman killed eight relatives, including four children, at a home in Billings, Montana, during a Sunday dinner gathering before setting the house on fire, according to The Associated Press and family member Brad Ireland.
“A man killed eight of his relatives, including four children, as they gathered for Sunday dinner at a home outside Billings, Montana”
Ireland identified the shooter as 44-year-old Alan Smith, saying Smith returned after his parents asked him to move out and opened fire, killing his grandmother, his parents, his younger sister and four children.
Police said they responded to the home on Sunday evening and heard gunshots coming from out back just before the house was completely engulfed in flames, and investigators later confirmed eight victims including four children.
Investigators also confirmed the suspect suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later died, and NBC News reported the incident was characterized as a family disturbance.
In a joint statement, the Billings Police Department said, "To protect the integrity of this ongoing investigation and the recovery efforts currently underway, no additional information will be released at this time."
Charlotte called 911
Jennifer Mercer, a neighbor and family friend who set up an online fundraiser, said, "The one thing we do know is that Charlotte was the hero," describing how Charlotte called 911 and tried to save her family.
Mercer told the Associated Press that Charlotte called 911 and she tried to save her family, and the family described the children as getting along even after their parents divorced.
Brad Ireland said there were "many red flags and many people spoke out" and that "No one listened," describing Alan Smith as a "hermit" who spent most of his days in his room on his computer.
Billings Police Sgt. Jeff Stovall said authorities were intentionally limiting details about the case "to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation," as the homicide investigation proceeded.
Billings Fire Chief Matt Hoppel said the delay in limited access presented significant challenges, fire conditions continued to worsen, and the residents ultimately became "consumed by fire."
Investigation and aftermath
Authorities said the homicide investigation was being conducted by Yellowstone County in partnership with the Billings Police Department and multiple local, state and federal agencies, while police said no additional people were being sought and there was believed to be no continued threat to the community.
“No additional people are being sought in connection with the incident, and there is believed to be no continued threat to the community”
Billings Fire Chief Matt Hoppel said crews had to coordinate closely with law enforcement and operate from positions that balanced the urgent need for fire suppression with a very real threat to responders' safety.
The Associated Press reported the investigation was complicated by concerns about the structural integrity of the house after the fire burned it to its foundation, and Jeff Stovall said the fire burned the house to its foundation and complicated the investigation.
The NBC News report said firefighters were dispatched but may have faced water access issues and fewer fire hydrants than might be ideal, and it cited that the subdivision was outside municipal limits and not required to have fire hydrants.
The AP reported that the victims represented four generations of the blended family, ranging from a great-grandmother in her 90s to a 7-year-old girl, and that investigators confirmed eight victims including four children and the suspect’s death.