At Least 8 Killed Including Children After Gunman Opens Fire at Family House in Montana Before Setting Home on Fire and Turning Gun on Self

At least eight members of the same family, including at least two children, were killed after a gunman opened fire at their home. The family home in Billings, Montana, was set ablaze after the shooting, leaving some of the victims trapped inside as the property was destroyed by the flames.

Officers reached the scene around 10 minutes after the gunfire began at 6:01 p.m. on Monday, but by then, they were unable to save the victims. The dead included siblings Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12. Their parents, Adam Ghekiere and Erica Jarussi Schneider, along with their stepfather, Danny, were not at the home when the shooting took place.

Complete Massacre

Another person survived the attack and was taken to a hospital. Their condition has not been released. Police said the suspected gunman was found dead near the home at 6:48 p.m., having suffered what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Authorities have not yet determined how the gunman was connected to the family.

Interim Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell said gunfire could be heard in the background of a 911 call, and the house caught fire within three minutes.

Police have identified the victims, but their names had not been publicly released, apart from Landon and Charlotte, whose family confirmed their identities.

Billings Fire Department Chief Matt Hoppel said the lack of nearby fire hydrants made it difficult for firefighters to battle the blaze. “The delay and limited access presented significant challenges. Fire conditions continued to worsen, and the residence ultimately became heavily involved and was consumed by fire,” he said.

Family members and friends of the children’s parents also paid tribute to Landon and Charlotte in posts shared online.

Community Shocked

“Landon was just 15 years old and preparing to begin his sophomore year at Senior High School,” his family wrote on an online fundraiser. They described him as a caring and compassionate teenager who was always ready to help his family and neighbors.

“He was looking forward to getting his driver’s license this week and was a patient, protective, and loving big brother.”

Charlotte, 12, was also looking ahead to a new school year and was preparing to enter seventh grade when she was killed alongside her brother.

The fundraiser described Charlotte as “funny, precocious, and adorable – with just the right amount of stubborn,” adding that she had an angelic smile and enjoyed posing for photos.

“She especially loved exploring the world around her, turning over rocks to look for bugs. Oh, how she loved her bugs!”

The family said Ghekiere, an Airport Rescue Firefighter, was not involved in the shooting. The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies are investigating what happened before the shooting and how the home caught fire.

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