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Girl's heroic final act as she tried to save family from slaughter
Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, is being hailed as a hero after she sprang into action when her step-uncle opened fire at the family's weekly dinner.
TL;DR
- A 12-year-old girl, Charlotte Ghekiere, called 911 to report a shooting at a family dinner in Billings, Montana.
- The shooter, identified as Alan Smith, 44, opened fire on the family.
- The house caught fire, and gunshots were heard during the 911 call.
- Nine people died in the incident: Charlotte, her brother Landon Ghekiere (15), step-mother Megan Ghekiere, step-siblings Owen Ireland (13) and Chloe Ireland (7), Smith's mother Barbara Smith (69), father Dana Smith (72), grandmother Evelyn Smith (92), and Alan Smith himself.
- It is believed Smith committed the rampage after being kicked out of his parents' home.
- Smith died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
- Firefighting efforts were hampered by the home's location outside city limits and lack of fire hydrants.
- The father of Charlotte and Landon, Adam Ghekiere, learned of the tragedy while at work and rushed to the scene.
- Brad Ireland, father of Owen and Chloe, stated there were warning signs about Alan Smith's behavior that were ignored.