The father of two children killed in a Montana home by a gunman before the house was torched described his frantic attempts to call them after learning that emergency crews had rushed to the address.
Grieving Adam Ghekiere lost his daughter Charlotte, 12, son Landon, 15, wife Megan, his two stepchildren, ages 7 and 13, and their 92-year-old wheelchair-bound great-grandmother, as well as two other family members in the tragic mass shooting, The U.S. Sun reported after speaking with the heartbroken dad.
Ghekiere was working at an airshow as a rescue firefighter Sunday evening when he heard on the communications system that an incident was unfolding close to where his in-laws live in Billings.
“I tried calling the house and no one answered. I checked my kids’ locations, both Landon and Charlotte, and no one answered,” he told the outlet.
“By the time we got to the house, they wouldn’t let us get any closer because it was still under an active shooter status. I feared the worst right then,” he went on.
Ghekiere said the killer, who took his own life after shooting up the house, is a member of his extended family who had begun harboring a grudge toward his parents.
“I don’t think the shooter expected my kids to be there,” said Ghekiere.
Police have not given an official motive yet for the killings and have not released the suspect’s name.
Authorities are expected to hold a press conference on Wednesday to give further details.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
