Promising lives of Montana children revealed after family massacre
Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, were among eight family members killed when Alan Smith, 44, opened fire at his parent's house in Billings, Montana on August 23.
TL;DR
- Landon Ghekiere, 15, was interested in Marvel movies, gaming, live music, soccer, baseball, wrestling, trumpet, and chess, and was preparing for his sophomore year and a trip to Germany and Switzerland.
- Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, was described as bright, quirky, and independent, with a love for animals and various activities including crocheting, painting, paddle boarding, and playing the violin.
- Charlotte called 911 during the shooting and will receive the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation's National Heroism Award posthumously.
- Landon's obituary states he spent his last moments trying to save his younger sister.
- The massacre also claimed the lives of step-mother Megan Ghekiere, and step-siblings Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, seven.
- Their father, Adam Ghekiere, described his brother-in-law Alan Smith as a 'monster' and suggested there were warning signs.
- Alan Smith had been living as a hermit with his parents and was recently kicked out of their house before the attack.
- After the shooting, the house was set on fire, and police found Alan Smith outside, where he is believed to have died by suicide.