Press Conference Reveals Details of Billings House Fire, Shooting

Yesterday, I shared details with you from Billings authorities regarding the horrible incident that took place on Sunday that claimed the lives of 8 victims.

Unfortunately, several media reports came out yesterday, providing details that by all accounts weren't approved by police. As a matter of fact, police stated that sharing information prematurely without their authorization could hinder the investigation.

Today, Billings law enforcement held a special press conference to provide more information to the public.

Billings House Fire, Shooting Press Conference

In a press conference broadcast to Facebook, Billings authorities provided some details we already know and some that we didn't.

No matter what, it doesn't make this tragedy any easier to process.

"None of the information that has been released to date from the Sheriff's Office, I've had approval from the family. And when I say the family, the entire family, both sides of this. The victims in this are, we have a blended family," Sheriff Kent O'Donnell said.

Sheriff Kent O'Donnell Dispels Rumors About the Shooting, House Fire

Sheriff Kent O'Donnell took time to debunk rumors about the tragedy floating around the internet:

"I would like to dispel rumors and falsehoods that have been spread on social media. There's several of them out there. This was not a drug house, a drug lab. This was your typical American household family. The suspect is not an ex-husband, a jilted ex-boyfriend. It is a family member. Another rumor that I've seen was law enforcement and fire were taking rounds when they arrived on scene. This is not true. Rounds were heard prior to law enforcement's arrival.

Law enforcement confronted the suspect in the front yard of the residence. He retreated into the house. At that same time, there was smoke coming from the house. More gunshots could be heard in the house. And the suspect fled out the back of the house into the backyard and took his own life."

ALSO READ: Billings Police Release Official Details About House Fire, Shooting Incident

Sheriff O'Donnell went on to name the victims of this tragedy.

"First, I may refer to them as mom, dad, grandma, daughter, brother. The matriarch of the family is Evelyn Smith, 92 years old. She did not reside at the house. She was there for a family dinner.

Homeowner, Dana Smith. His wife, Barbara Smith. And daughter, Megan Ireland-Ghekiere, and her children, Owen Ireland, Chloe Ireland, Landon Ghekiere, and Charlotte Ghekiere. Again, this is a blended family from both sides of this. The suspect is, so write this down because I will not say his name after this.

Alan Michael Smith, 44 years old, is the son of the homeowners. As you can see from the photo of the scene, how extensive of a crime scene this is and the damage done by the fire. This is a 4,000 square foot home with a full basement.

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If you can imagine our crime scene and the investigation process it takes to do this. If you can picture shovel by shovel being removed from the house, room by room, and looked through to make sure we're not missing any pieces of evidence. That's what is making this so slow and hindering some of the information that's being released.

I can confirm all occupants of the house are accounted for. They have been located. Some have been removed."

Bible Found Unscathed

Sheriff O'Donnell then shared something that should offer a sense of warmth in this cold horrific incident.

"I went over to some of the stuff that had been excavated from the house. They had a family photo album that is fairly intact. And what I can't preserve is Barbara's personal Bible with her family information in the cover of it and hardly a mark on it coming from that.

If that doesn't make you think there's something higher involved in our lives. I would like to ask that the media gives the family time to grieve, gentle in their questioning and pressure about information on this. We will release it as it becomes available."

You can view the full press conference HERE.