A Montana man fatally shot eight of his relatives, including four children, during a Sunday dinner before taking his own life, authorities reported. The suspect was identified as Alan Smith, 44.

The Billings Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an active shooting at approximately 6:01 p.m. on Sunday. Officers arriving at the scene heard gunshots emanating from the rear of the residence. Within minutes, the home was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters battled the blaze until around 1 a.m. Monday. The house is located in a subdivision outside city limits that is not required to have fire hydrants, according to Billings Fire Department Chief Matt Hoppel. Investigators are proceeding carefully due to the structural integrity of the burned residence.

Among the victims were Smith's parents, Dana and Barb Smith, and his grandmother Evelyn. Also killed were Smith's former sister-in-law, Megan Ghekiere, her two children with Brad Ireland—Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7—and her two stepchildren with her current husband, Adam Ghekiere: Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12.

Brad Ireland told The Associated Press that his ex-wife and their two children were among those killed. He noted that Smith's parents had asked their son to move out weeks prior, as he had been living with them for years. Ireland described Smith as a reclusive individual who spent most of his time in his room on his computer, adding that Smith had never been violent but could be verbally abusive.

Adam Ghekiere, who was not at the home when the shooting occurred, reportedly heard about the active shooting via a dispatch radio. He raced to the Smith residence, only to find it engulfed in flames. He later learned his wife and children had been killed. Ghekiere stated that his children were not scheduled to be at the home, as family dinners typically occurred on Fridays.

A neighbor and family friend, Jennifer Mercer, who set up an online fundraiser for the victims' families, described the family as "very loving and close." Mercer also stated that Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, called 911 during the incident and attempted to save her family.

Landon Ghekiere, 15, was preparing to enter his sophomore year of high school and was described as a patient, protective, and loving older brother. Charlotte, 12, was about to begin seventh grade and was known for being funny, precocious, and adorable. Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7, were also among the fatalities.

Smith had attended Eastern Washington University but had struggled to find and maintain employment, according to reports.