Adults and children killed in Billings shooting and fire

Multiple people, including children, were killed after a gunman opened fire at a Billings, Montana, home that was soon engulfed in flames, authorities said Monday.

The shooting happened Sunday evening in the 300 block of White Star Circle near the city’s West End neighborhood. Investigators described the violence as a family disturbance and said it was not a random attack.

“The initial investigation shows that this event started as a family disturbance and was not a random act of violence where the parties were unknown to each other,” the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement, adding that “there is no further danger to the public.”

Interim Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell said at a news conference Monday that “multiple adults and multiple juveniles” died at the residence. Authorities said the victims and suspect have been identified, but they did not release the number of people killed, their names or their ages.

The gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, law enforcement said. CBS News reported, citing the sheriff, that all victims targeted in the shooting were killed and that the suspect died after being taken to a local hospital.

A motive had not been determined by Monday.

Billings police said officers and Yellowstone County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 6:01 p.m. Sunday after a report of an active shooter. O’Donnell said gunshots could be heard during the 911 call. Police said officers and deputies arrived in roughly 10 minutes and heard gunfire from the back of the home.

Three minutes later, the house was fully engulfed in flames, according to the police department. Video from the scene showed law enforcement officers taking cover behind patrol SUVs near the home as a small tactical team moved toward the structure behind a handheld shield. Video shared by CBS affiliate KTVQ showed a large plume of smoke rising from the property.

Firefighters were dispatched, but officials said they may have faced water access problems and fewer fire hydrants than would have been ideal. Billings Fire Chief Matt Hoppel said those conditions complicated the response.

“The delay in limited access presented significant challenges, fire conditions continued to worsen, and the residents ultimately became… consumed by fire,” Hoppel said at Monday’s news conference.

The origin of the fire remains under investigation. O’Donnell said the fire, along with the water used to suppress it, would slow the collection of evidence at the crime scene.

“Because of the fire and obviously water that goes to suppress that fire, it’s going to slow our investigation of the crime scene recovery of evidence,” he said. “So we ask for patience as we complete this investigation.”

The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and said more information would be released “as time allows.” Authorities asked the public to avoid the area while investigators continue collecting evidence, a process expected to take multiple days.

Billings Police Sgt. Jeff Stovall said some details were being withheld to protect the investigation.

“First and foremost, the Billings Police Department extends our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this awful tragedy,” Stovall said. “Our thoughts are with the families, loved ones, and all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time.”

He added: “We understand there are many questions surrounding this investigation. However, to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation, there are details we simply cannot release at this time.”