Montana Man Kills Eight Relatives, Including Four Children, Before Taking His Own Life

A family gathering in Billings, Montana, ended in tragedy after a man killed eight of his relatives, including four children, during a Sunday dinner before taking his own life, according to a spokesperson for the family.

The shooting happened on Sunday evening at a home in Billings, where police responded to reports of gunfire. Officers arriving at the scene heard additional shots coming from the back of the residence, which was subsequently engulfed in flames.

Authorities confirmed multiple fatalities and said the suspected gunman was taken to hospital with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He later died.

Family spokesperson Jennifer Mercer said the victims belonged to four generations of a blended family, ranging from a great-grandmother in her 90s to a seven-year-old girl.

The identities of all eight victims have not been formally released by authorities, although relatives have identified some of those killed through fundraising campaigns. Two of the victims were identified as siblings Landon, 15, and Charlotte, 12.

A neighbour, David Hiller, told the Associated Press that he initially believed the sounds he heard shortly after 6 p.m. were fireworks. He later learned that a shooting was taking place nearby and saw heavily armed police officers surrounding the property as thick black smoke rose from the house.

According to police, officers were dispatched following a report of an active shooting and could hear gunfire in the background of the emergency call.

Additional shots were heard after officers arrived. Within minutes, smoke was seen coming from the residence before the building became fully engulfed in flames.

The extensive fire has complicated the investigation, with authorities working to establish exactly what happened inside the home and what led to the violence.

Police have said the suspected shooter knew the victims and described the incident as having familial origins, but investigators have not yet publicly established a motive.

The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, while authorities continue to process the scene and establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The tragedy has left relatives and the Billings community mourning the loss of members of the same family across several generations.

As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to provide further information about the victims, the circumstances of the shooting and the events that preceded the deadly family gathering.