According to interviews and media reports cited below, Alan Smith, a 44-year-old man in Montana, killed eight of his relatives during a family dinner on Aug. 23 and then turned the gun on himself.
Relatives describe warnings
In a New York Post interview, Brad Ireland—identified in that reporting as the father of two child victims and the ex-husband of another victim—described Smith as a “hermit” who lived with his parents and spent his days on his computer. Ireland said there were “many red flags and many people spoke out,” adding, “no one listened.” The Post also reported, based on Ireland’s account, that Smith’s parents had pressured him to move out weeks before the shooting.
Children among those killed, per Daily Mail
The Daily Mail reported that four of Smith’s nieces and nephews—Chloe, 7; Owen, 13; Charlotte, 12; and Landon, 15—were shot and killed at the dinner. The outlet also named Smith’s 92-year-old grandmother, Evelyn Smith, among the victims, describing her as wheelchair-bound, and said Smith’s parents were killed as well.
‘Monster isn’t even enough’
Adam Ghekiere—identified in media reports as the father of Landon and Charlotte—told reporters, “Monster isn’t even enough to describe what he did.” Ghekiere said he was working as a rescue firefighter at an airshow when he learned over his communications network of a “shooting and arson” at the address of his in-laws’ home.
911 call reported from 12-year-old niece
The source material states local police authorities confirmed that Charlotte, Smith’s 12-year-old niece, called 911 during the attack. Ghekiere recalled her words to him: whenever he said “I love you,” she would reply, “I love you more.”
Background reported on the suspect
Per the New York Post’s interview with Ireland, Smith attended Eastern Washington University, struggled to keep steady employment after graduating, and lived with family who had previously been in the Seattle area before relocating to Montana.
