HEROIC LAST ACTS Heartbreaking new details about 4 children sH๏τ ᴅᴇᴀᴅ by their uncle at Sunday dinner revealed in gutwrenching obituaries
HEARTBREAKING new obituaries have revealed the dreams, hobbies and final acts of courage of two siblings among four children killed in a horrific family mᴀssacre.
Landon Ghekiere, 15, and his sister Charlotte, 12, were remembered for lives packed with music, sports and big plans before they were killed alongside step-siblings Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, 7.
Landon, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, were both killed on Sunday evening at their grandparents house
Authorities found a house engulfed in flames after responding to reports of a shooting on Monday night
The children died at a family home outside Billings, Montana, on August 23, after gunman Alan Smith, 44, opened fire before multiple fires were started inside the property, authorities said.
Gutwrenching new obituaries for Landon and Charlotte have now revealed the milestones they were looking forward to and the things they loved most.
Landon was described by his family as “thoughtful, affectionate, sarcastic, witty, and intelligent.”
The teenager loved Marvel movies, gaming and live music and was known for relentlessly joking with his mom.
He had played soccer and baseball, enjoyed chess and joined the Billings Senior wrestling team despite having no previous experience.
Landon made the junior varsity wrestling team during his first year and also played trumpet in the Senior High Symphonic band, unusual for a freshman, according to his obituary.
He had been excited to begin his sophomore year and was preparing for two major teenage milestones, getting his driver’s license and his pᴀssport.
Landon was also looking forward to traveling to Germany and Switzerland on a Sustainability Living tour.
But his obituary reveals his final moments were spent trying to save his younger sister, saying his life was cut short as he “heroically protected his little sister.”
Their mom, Erica Jarussi Schneider, later told mourners that Landon and Charlotte had been “polar opposites” but shared a loving nature and a sharp sense of humor.
“In their last moments, they showed unbelievable amounts of bravery,” she said at a candlelight vigil attended by hundreds.
Schneider said Charlotte made the desperate 911 call from inside the house while Landon died trying to protect her.
She added that she took some comfort from knowing the siblings were together at the end.
Charlotte’s obituary describes the 12-year-old as a “bright, quirky, intuitive soul” who became fiercely independent and curious as she grew older.
She had a special love for animals and insects, particularly cows and bugs, as well as her dogs Macy and Ingrid.
Charlotte threw herself into everything from crocheting, painting and diamond art to paddle boarding and playing the violin.
She also tried soccer, gymnastics, dance, Ninja Warrior and jiu-jitsu and had been planning to start wrestling like Landon.
Her obituary says she had spent the summer bonding with her dad over video games and golf, including driving him around the course.
The youngster made a call in her final moments that “likely saved the lives of first responders, if not her family.”
Flowers sit at a memorial honoring eight family members who were killed while gathering for dinner near the family home outside Billings, Montana
Police have confirmed Charlotte was the child who called 911 as the attack unfolded inside the home.
She will now posthumously receive the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation’s National Heroism Award.
The organization also hopes to plant a living memorial tree in a Montana national forest in Charlotte’s honor.
Foundation founder Daniel Chapin said Charlotte “demonstrated courage that deserves to be remembered.”
Owen was remembered as a child who loved books, Legos and gaming with his friends.
“He loved to try new things at least once. He loved reading,” Adam said of the 13-year-old.
“That kid would sit down and just read to the point where I’d be like, ‘Dude, it’s 10:30 on a school night’….He loved everyone. He loved his friends. He loved gaming with his friends.”
Owen also looked up to Landon, with Adam previously saying the younger boy had started playing trumpet after watching his older sibling do the same.
Chloe, the youngest victim at just seven, was remembered by her family as a little girl who loved dressing up and had an unmistakable personality.
Adam previously told The U.S. Sun she would happily wear winter clothes in summer or a summer outfit in colder weather simply because it was what she wanted to wear.
He described Chloe as the apple of her mother Megan’s eye.
The children’s biological and step-parents have stressed how close the blended family had become.
A family friend described them as “very loving and close” and said all four youngsters got along despite their parents’ earlier divorces.
Four adults were killed alongside them.
They were Megan, her parents Dana Smith, 73, and Barbara Smith, 72, and her grandmother Evelyn Smith, 92.
Owen and Chloe also died in the attack, alongside their mom.
Their father Brad Ireland and stepfather Adam have since shared heartbreaking memories of the youngsters.
Smith had previously lived at the White Star Circle home but was no longer living there when the attack happened, Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O’Donnell said.
Relatives have said Dana and Barbara had asked their son to move out weeks before the killings amid concerns over his behavior.
However, authorities have not officially determined what drove Smith to slaughter his family.
Investigators have said a motive remains unknown.
The first 911 call reporting an active shooter came in at 6.01pm, with an officer reaching the house 11 minutes later.
Authorities said officers saw Smith outside before he retreated into the home and further sH๏τs were heard.
By 6.15pm, the house was filling with smoke.
Investigators believe multiple fires had been deliberately started inside the property.
Smith later emerged through the back of the home and suffered a self-inflicted gunsH๏τ wound, authorities said.
He was taken to hospital and pronounced ᴅᴇᴀᴅ.
The fire badly damaged the property and was made harder to fight because the home sits outside Billings city limits in an area without fire hydrants.
Firefighters had to bring in truckloads of water and could not begin tackling the blaze until law enforcement had secured the scene.
Hundreds of people later gathered at Veterans Park to mourn the eight victims, whose portraits were lined up in front of the crowd.
A joint memorial for Landon and Charlotte is scheduled for September 2 at Camelot Ranch in Billings.
Their family has asked people to wear blue to remember Landon and rainbow colors in honor of Charlotte.
