Investigators sift for evidence at burned Montana home where 8 family members were killed at dinner
Investigators say the suspect set multiple fires and killed eight relatives before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- On Sunday, Alan Smith killed eight relatives at his parents' home near Billings, Montana, then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound as officers arrived. Multiple fires were set inside the suburban residence.
- Smith had lived at the home until being asked to move out weeks earlier, according to police and surviving relatives. Investigators have "some idea" of what prompted the shooting but remain focused on the crime scene.
- Among those killed were 13-year-old Owen, 12-year-old Chloe, 15-year-old Landon, and 12-year-old Charlotte, whose family originally came from Seattle. Owen was described by his father as the "perfect big brother."
- Twelve-Year-Old Charlotte called 911 just after 6 p.m. as the attack began, but arriving officers were unable to intervene before Smith died. Firefighters had to truck in water due to the neighborhood's reliance on wells without hydrants.
- Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O'Donnell said during a Wednesday news conference that some questions regarding motive may remain unanswered because "all the parties that will have those answers are not here." Billings Mayor Mike Nelson noted the tragedy impacted the city of 120,000 residents.
37 Articles
37 Articles
8 victims and suspect identified in Billings, Montana, shooting and fire
Authorities have identified eight people, including four children, who were killed when a family member opened fire and set a house on fire in Billings, Montana. The suspected gunman also died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell identified the victims and suspect at a briefing Wednesday. The suspect was identified as Alan Michael Smith, 44, the son of the homeowners. O’Donnell said he had previously liv…
The 44-year-old man is said to have killed his parents, grandmother and sister as well as their four children in a residential building in the city of Billings. .
In the U.S. city of Billings, a house burns down, gunshots are fired, investigators find several bodies, the oldest victim being 92 years old, the youngest being 7 years old.
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