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Multiple People, Including Kids, Dead After Montana Gunman Shoots Family Before House Fire
Multiple people, including children, have passed away after a family disturbance turned deadly in Billings, Montana. Local authorities on the scene released more information about the heartbreaking tragedy and asked for “patience” as they complete the investigation. This is just one instance of family violence that’s captured the attention of many this week. Just days ago, newly released video of an Ohio man admitting to executing his family for “God” made its rounds, garnering heated reactions.
According to the BIllings Gazette, multiple children and adults were killed during a shooting and a house fire on Sunday, August 13, 2026. “Today’s press conference is on the heels of a tragedy for a Billings family and the community as a whole,” Billings Police Department Assistant Chief, Shawn Mayo, said.
First responders got a call about an active shooting at 315 White Star Circle just after 6:00 p.m. local time, and the Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell said shooting could be heard on the call.
According to the local authorities, when police approached the residence, they saw a male in the backyard of an “already smoking house” and heard even more gunfire. The suspected gunman was later located with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was transported to a hospital, where he died.
First Responders Faced Trouble While Approaching The Montana House Fire
Putting out the fire proved challenging for first responders during the call, “as there were no fire hydrants in the subdivision.” Fire Chief Matt Hoppel said nearby water trucks had to be brought in to assist.
“Because the scene could not be immediately confirmed as secured, our firefighters were unable to operate as we normally would,” Hoppel said. “The delay and limited access presented significant challenges.”
Hoppel said fire conditions “continued to worsen” as they waited, and before and before they knew it, “the residence ultimately became heavily involved and was consumed by fire. Local authorities said that it would be completing a thorough investigation and asked for patience throughout the process.
GoFundMe Says Billings, Montana Lost ‘Two Of Its Brightest Lights’
According to the New York Post, two of the victims were siblings, a 12-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy. A GoFundMe page set up by a loved one spoke about the two minors, calling them two of the community’s “brightest lights.”
The GoFundMe says the 15-year-old should be remembered as a “loving, caring young man who was always willing to lend a hand to his family and neighbors,” while his sister, who was preparing for 7th grade, “had an angelic smile and loved posing for pictures.”
On the children’s GoFundMe page, the organizers linked another fundraiser, which shared additional information about two other victims. “Our friend and coworker, Adam, an Airport Rescue Firefighter, suffered [a] loss of a magnitude most of us can’t even imagine. The loss of his wife, children, and other members of his family,” the description read.
An Ohio Man Was Convicted Of Killing His Three Sons
The deadly violence displayed in Billings, Montana, is just one example of family violence.
According to Fox 19, Ohio man Chad Doerman was convicted in June 2023 of killing his three sons. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious assault involving two other family members.
While his plea agreement kept him away from trial, newly released videos and interview from the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office show Doerman speaking about his actions and revealing he shot his sons “for God.”
“I was scared because we are all in Hell,” he told detectives. “This is the fiery gates of f—ng Hell. And Jesus is coming. You don’t know who’s going to get stuck and who’s not.”
Doerman Said He Was Being Tested By God
Elsewhere in the interviews, Doerman reflected on a story from the Bible in which God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, for him. As he goes to kill him, God sends an angel to stop him, which was a way of honoring his obedience.
“He tests you and you have to do it. You can’t deny it. You have to do it. You can’t stop,” Doerman said in the videos. “[I did it] for God. And now I’m in Hell. And he’s gonna come down and it’s gonna be a mess. And I feel so bad because I should’ve done [redacted name] first so that [redacted name] didn’t suffer.”
