A heart-wrenching tragedy struck a Montana community when a man took the lives of eight family members, including four children, before setting their house ablaze, according to a family member and authorities.
Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell, in an emotional address during an Aug. 26 press conference, remarked, “This is beyond a tragedy. It’s a devastation so deep that words can scarcely capture it. The family has been shattered in a way that might be irreparable.”
Identified suspect Alan Michael Smith reportedly ended his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Sheriff O’Donnell acknowledged the incident, firmly stating, “Remember this only once, as I refuse to speak this name again.”
The nightmarish events unfolded on Aug. 23, as a gathering at a residence on White Star Circle was underway. A multi-generational family had come together for dinner, spanning four generations under one roof.
At approximately 6 p.m., an urgent 911 call was made from inside the house, relaying acute distress and indicating injuries among those present.
When police officers arrived, Alan was in the front yard and was confronted before he retreated into the home.
“At the same time, there was smoke coming from the house [and] more gunshots could be heard in the house,” said O’Donnell. “The suspect fled out the back of the house into the backyard and took his own life.”
Firefighters fought the blaze until 1 a.m., Billings Fire Department Chief Matt Hoppel said, according to NBC News.
MORE STORY: Deadly Seattle Festival Shooting: Chilling 911 Call Released
The victims included Alan’s younger sister Megan Ghekiere, her children Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7, along with Megan’s stepchildren Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, Megan’s ex-husband Brad Ireland told the Associated Press.
Alan’s parents, Dana and Barb Smith, and his grandmother, Evelyn Smith, also died.
Alan was described as a “hermit” by Brad, noting the 44-year-old spent a lot of time in his bedroom on his computer until his parents asked him to move out weeks earlier.
“No one knew what he did in there 24/7,” Brad told the AP. “There were many red flags and many people spoke out. No one listened.”
For Megan’s husband Adam Ghekiere, the family dinner came as a surprise, especially as those gatherings are often reserved for Fridays.
“I don’t think he expected my kids to be there,” Adam told the AP. “‘Monster isn’t even enough to describe what he did.”
Police did not confirm who made the 911 call, but according to family and friends, it was Adam’s daughter Charlotte.
“The one thing we do know is that Charlotte was the hero,” neighbor Jennifer Mercer told the AP. “She tried to save her family. And that’s something the family does want out there.”