Eight family members killed in Montana home shooting, community mourns
A mass shooting near Billings on Aug. 23 claimed eight lives from the same family, with the gunman later found dead at the scene.
Investigators determined that Alan Smith carried out a fatal attack on his family in a Billings suburb on Aug. 23, killing eight relatives before igniting the home and committing suicide. The deceased were identified as Evelyn Smith, 92; her son Dana Smith and his wife Barbara, both 73; Evelyn’s granddaughter Megan Ireland-Ghekiere, 72; and the children Landon (15), Owen (12), Charlotte (13), and Chloe (7). Obituaries praised Charlotte’s calm 911 call and Landon’s heroic defense of his sister.
The tragedy has deeply affected both Billings and Laramie, where the couple had recently attended a high-school reunion. Community radio DJ Justin Hutchinson launched a week-long fundraiser beginning Sept. 28 to support the surviving family members. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about domestic violence and gun safety in the region.
Why it matters
The shooting highlights the devastating impact of domestic gun violence on a close-knit community.
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