In Billings, Montana, a family dinner turned tragic when a man killed eight of his relatives, including four children, before taking his own life, a family spokesperson told the Associated Press, as reported by infohub.kz.
Jennifer Mercer, who was authorized to release details and set up an online fundraiser to cover funeral costs, said the victims represented four generations of the blended family, ranging from a great-grandmother in her 90s to a 7-year-old girl.
Police said they responded to the home on Sunday evening and heard gunshots coming from the back, just before the house was completely engulfed in flames. They confirmed multiple fatalities, including one person with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
David Hiller, a neighbor who lives three doors down, heard what he thought were fireworks just after 6 p.m. on Sunday and didn't think much of it until another neighbor warned him about a shooting on the cul-de-sac. Hiller rushed outside to find police in tactical gear sheltering behind vehicles, some with long guns, while plumes of black smoke rose from the home.