Eight members of an extended family spanning four generations, including four children, were killed after a gunman opened fire inside a residence in Billings, Montana, before the home was destroyed in a fire, according to authorities.
Police officers dispatched to the scene shortly after 6:00 p.m. on Sunday found the suspect outside the residence suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and he was transported to a hospital where he later died.
The Billings Police Department initially responded to the home after an emergency 911 call reporting gunshots, with the incident initially characterized as a domestic dispute, according to the Billings Gazette.
Billings is the largest city in Montana and serves as the county seat of Yellowstone County in the southern portion of the state. With a population of over 117,000 residents, the city is a commercial and medical hub for the region.
Victims Represented Four Family Generations
The victims were members of the same extended family and included Megan Gekiere, her four children, her parents, and her grandmother. Family members identified the four children as 15-year-old Landon Gekiere, 12-year-old Charlotte Gekiere, 13-year-old Owen Ireland, and 7-year-old Chloe Ireland.
Megan Gekiere's parents, Barb Smith and Dana Smith, were killed alongside her grandmother, Evelyn Smith, who was over 90 years old. Relatives said 12-year-old Charlotte called 911 while the shooting was taking place, describing the girl as a hero for her attempt to alert emergency services.
Relatives recalled Landon, who was set to begin his sophomore year of high school, as a kind and loving young man who was always willing to help others. His sister Charlotte was preparing to enter seventh grade and was remembered by family as funny, smart, and sweet, with just the right amount of stubbornness.
A post on a GoFundMe online fundraising campaign stated that the community had lost two of its brightest lights, Landon and Charlotte, alongside six other family members, in a senseless act of violence. GoFundMe is an online platform widely used to collect emergency financial support and memorial donations following crises.
A separate fundraising page was created for the children's father, Adam Gekiere, who works as an airport rescue firefighter. The page confirmed that his wife, Megan Gekiere, was among the deceased. Airport rescue firefighters are specialized emergency personnel trained in aircraft firefighting, structural rescue, and hazardous materials response at aviation facilities.
While family members and fundraising pages identified the victims, official law enforcement agencies have not yet formally released all victim identities or confirmed the final death toll, stating only that there were multiple fatalities including children.
Fire Spread Rapidly Through Residence
Smoke was already rising from the structure when police officers first arrived on the scene. Shortly after emergency response teams assembled, flames spread rapidly throughout the entire residence.
Billings Assistant Police Chief Shawn Mayo explained that once the fire was detected, emergency efforts shifted immediately to firefighting because the heavy flames rendered any safe rescue or body recovery attempt impossible.
Firefighting operations faced early obstacles because first responders could not immediately confirm that the surrounding area was secure from gunfire. Additionally, Billings Fire Chief Matt Hoppel noted that the neighborhood lacked municipal fire hydrants, forcing crews to transport water to the site using water tenders.
Hoppel said the initial delay and restricted access presented major difficulties for firefighters, adding that conditions deteriorated until the structure was largely consumed and destroyed by the fire. The exact cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation, with officials expecting on-site forensic analysis to take several days.
Yellowstone County Sheriff Leads Ongoing Inquiry
Investigators are working to determine the suspect's motive and the precise circumstances surrounding the attack. Police noted that the gunman was a relative of the victims, though his exact relationship to each of the eight deceased individuals has not yet been clarified.
Billings Police Department Sergeant Jeff Stovall offered the department's deepest condolences to everyone affected by the tragedy, noting that thoughts were with the families and loved ones. Stovall added that while authorities recognized the public had many questions, specific details were being withheld to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office has taken over primary responsibility for the investigation. Law enforcement authorities confirmed that the suspect is dead and stated that there is no remaining threat to the public.
