12-year-old called 911 during Montana shooting that left 8 family members dead, relative says

BILLINGS, MONTANA: A 12-year-old girl called 911 and tried to save her family during a deadly shooting at a Montana home where eight relatives were killed, according to a family friend.

Charlotte Ghekiere was among four children killed Sunday when 44-year-old Alan Smith allegedly opened fire at the Billings home during a family dinner before setting the house on fire, according to relatives and police.

"The one thing we do know is that Charlotte was the hero," family friend Jennifer Mercer told The Associated Press. "Charlotte called 911 and she tried to save her family."

12-year-old Charlotte Ghekiere called 911 during Montana shooting

Authorities confirmed Tuesday that eight people were killed in the shooting and fire, including four children.

The victims included Charlotte, 12, her stepbrother Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7, according to family members. Also killed were Megan Ghekiere, the mother of Owen and Chloe; her parents, Dana and Barb Smith; and her grandmother, Evelyn Smith, relatives said.

The victims represented four generations of the blended family, ranging from Evelyn Smith, who was in her 90s and used a wheelchair, to 7-year-old Chloe.

Mercer described the family as "very loving and close" and said the children all got along.

What happened during the Billings family shooting

Police responded to the Billings residence shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday following a report of an active shooting. Officers heard more gunshots coming from the back of the house before the home became engulfed in flames.

Family member Brad Ireland identified the suspected shooter as 44-year-old Alan Smith, who was the brother of Megan Ghekiere.

Ireland said Smith's parents had asked him to move out of their home a few weeks earlier. He allegedly returned Sunday evening while the family was gathered for its weekly dinner.

Ireland said Smith killed his grandmother, parents, younger sister and the four children before setting the house on fire. He then tried to flee before being confronted by law enforcement, Ireland said.

Police confirmed the suspect suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later died.

Montana shooting investigation continues as motive remains unclear

The fire burned the home to its foundation, complicating the investigation. Firefighters battled the blaze until around 1 a.m., according to Billings Fire Chief Matt Hoppel.

Investigators have not publicly established a motive for the killings.

Ireland described Smith as a "hermit" who spent much of his time alone in his room on his computer. He said Smith had never been violent to his knowledge, although he could be verbally abusive.

A search of criminal records in Montana and Washington found no record that Smith had previously been arrested or charged with a crime.