Montana man killed 8 relatives, including 4 children: police

A man in Montana killed eight members of his family, including four children, during a family gathering on Sunday at a home outside Billings, according to police. The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office received a call about an active shooter before the house was engulfed in flames. Eight victims were believed to be present, four of whom were juveniles.

The scene remained under active investigation with multiple personnel present, and the recovery process had to be conducted carefully due to the condition of the residence. The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office expressed condolences to the families and recognized the impact on the community. The incident occurred weeks after the man's parents asked him to move out, according to a family member.

The shooter, identified as 44-year-old Alan Smith, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a local hospital. The initial investigation determined that the event started as a family disturbance, not a random act of violence.