Adam Ghekiere’s 2 kids, Landon & Charlotte & 2 stepkids and 3 other family members, including wife and mom Megan and step-mom killed after relative opened fire during grudge before taking own life. Kids dad recounts Billings, Montana shooting horror in interview.
A ‘family altercation’ left at least 8 people dead, including four children after a family member opened fire inside a Billings, Montana residence which was later engulfed in flames, authorities said.
While authorities had refused to publicly identify the victims, online funraisers revealed Landon Ghekiere, 15 and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, as the two children killed along with their mother Megan Ghekiere and grandparents.
Other family members who died included, two other children, ages, seven and 13, Owen and Chloe Ireland who were Adam Ghekiere’s step-children, along with their grandparent, a 92-year-old wheelchair bound woman. Surviving the shooting was stepmother, Erica Jarussi Schneider, Adam’s wife.
Alan Smith, Billings, Montana shooter was asked to move out but refused
Montana police announced today that multiple children and adults were killed in a shooting and fire at a home in the West Billings End yesterday. The male suspect is deceased. pic.twitter.com/eeBWKxL9b2
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) August 24, 2026
Desperate dad tried calling home but there was no answer
Megan Ghekiere’s parents, Barbara and Dana Smith, and her grandmother, Evelyn Smith were confirmed as the other three adult victims, KBZK reported.
Family members said they shared their identities, hoping to remember the people they loved — and help the community understand the lives behind the tragedy.
Adam Ghekiere, Landon and Charlotte’s father, who wasn’t present during the bloodbath told the US Sun that the tragedy unfolded after an extended family member harboring a grudge towards his parents.
Landon and Charlotte were at the house as their dad, who is an airport rescue firefighter, was working and wouldn’t have normally visited their grandparents on a Sunday evening.
He was working at an airshow and when he heard on the Fire department communications system there was an unfolding incident in the area where his wife’s parents lived, he instantly feared the worst.
‘I tried calling the house and no one answered,’ he told The U.S Sun during an emotional interview.
‘I checked my kids’ locations, both Landon and Charlotte, and no one answered. I called Megan’s cellphone too.
‘By the time we got to the house, they wouldn’t let us get any closer because it was still under an active shooter status. I feared the worst right then.’
‘I don’t think the shooter expected my kids to be there,’
The violence was reported shortly after 6pm Sunday, when a 911 caller reported an active shooting at the home, according to Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell.
Gunfire could be heard during the call.
Officers arrived about 10 minutes later and encountered a man in the backyard as additional gunshots were heard and smoke poured from the residence, according to the Billings Gazette.
‘I don’t think the shooter expected my kids to be there,’ Ghekiere said.
The man, who authorities identified as the suspected shooter, was taken to a local hospital at about 6.48pm. with what police described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
He later died.
Carnage the result of family disturbance linked to long held grudge
Authorities said the incident began as a family disturbance. They have not disclosed the suspect’s relationship to all of the victims or identified a motive.
Police said all of the victims have been identified, although their names had not been publicly released.
Fundraising campaigns established for the family identified two of the victims as Landon Ghekiere and Charlotte Ghekiere
A GoFundMe campaign for Ghekiere said he lost his wife, children and other family members in the incident.
Another fundraiser identified Landon and Charlotte as victims.
According to the fundraiser, Landon was preparing to begin his sophomore year of high school and was looking forward to getting his driver’s license.
He was described as caring, protective and willing to help his family and neighbors.
Charlotte was described as funny, outgoing and affectionate, with an ‘angelic smile’ and a love of having her picture taken.
Authorities said investigators could need several days to determine exactly what happened inside the home.
Billings Montana shooting and housefire investigation pending
Billings Fire Department Chief Matt Hoppel said firefighters faced difficulties entering the structure and could not immediately determine whether the scene was secure.
‘Because the scene could not be immediately confirmed as secured, our firefighters were unable to operate as we normally would,’ Hoppel said.
He said the delay and restricted access created significant challenges as fire conditions deteriorated and the residence was eventually destroyed.
Neighbor Dave Hiller told KTVQ that he heard several gunshots before seeing the home catch fire.
‘You could hear a couple gunshots going off,’ Hiller said. He then looked outside and saw the house, about three homes away, on fire.
Smoke was pouring from the residence, he said, adding that the home was one where he regularly saw the family outside.
The cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to the shooting remain under investigation. Officials indicated an update would be released on Wednesday.
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