Evelyn Smith, a woman known for her full and beautiful life, was 92 years old when she was killed on August 23, 2026. Born Evelyn Wostenberg in Thermopolis, Wyoming, on June 10, 1934, she was the third of four children and grew up on a farm in Worland. She and her high school sweetheart, Edwin “Wayne” Smith, married after graduation and raised four children together: Dana, Denis, Kurt, and Vicki.
Evelyn worked her way up to Executive Secretary at the University of Wyoming and later, after a move to Reno, Nevada, worked for the University of Nevada Reno before retiring for good. An active and caring community member, she volunteered for numerous organizations, including Youth First, Young Life, and the Alzheimer's Association. Her family fondly remembers her decorating for every holiday, and in her younger years, she was a trailblazer in women's horseshoes, becoming a Wyoming State Champion. In her later years, she enjoyed gardening, puzzles, bird watching, and spending time with her beloved family. Friends and family recalled her love for the color pink, her sweet tooth for candy and chocolate, and that she was a special lady to many who would be sorely missed.
The last day of Evelyn’s life was a Sunday, a day for a weekly family dinner. She was visiting the Billings, Montana, home of her son, Dana, and his wife, Barbara, at 315 White Star Circle. The Smith family had largely relocated to the Billings area from the Seattle region after their daughter, Megan, moved to Montana. Evelyn herself lived in a nearby retirement community, Highgate Senior Living. That evening, the family gathering turned into a scene of unimaginable violence when Evelyn’s grandson, 44-year-old Alan Michael Smith, opened fire on his own family. Just weeks prior, his parents had asked him to move out of their home. Alan shot and killed eight members of his family, spanning four generations.
The victims of the massacre were Evelyn Smith, 92; her son and the homeowner, Dana Smith, 73; her daughter-in-law, Barbara Smith, 72; her granddaughter, Megan Ireland-Ghekiere, 39; and her four great-grandchildren, Owen Ireland, 13, Chloe Ireland, 7, Landon Ghekiere, 15, and Charlotte Ghekiere, 12. The attack happened during what was supposed to be a peaceful family dinner. After the shooting, Alan Smith set multiple fires inside the house.
When Yellowstone County Sheriff's deputies responded to a 911 call from the residence, they saw Alan in the front yard before he retreated inside. Officers then heard more gunfire. Shortly after, Alan exited the back of the house and shot himself. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at a local hospital from the self-inflicted gunshot wound. The home, located in a subdivision outside city limits without fire hydrants, was engulfed in flames. Firefighters had to haul in truckloads of water, and their efforts were delayed as police worked to secure the active crime scene. The house ultimately burned down to its foundation.
Investigators from the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office worked to piece together the tragic events. Sheriff Kent O'Donnell confirmed the identities of the victims and the gunman at a press conference, dispelling rumors and clarifying that the crime was a familial mass murder. "This is a tragic loss,” O’Donnell stated. “I keep using the word 'tragic' this week, but I don't think 'tragic' is a strong enough word for this." He emphasized that the family was a "typical American household" and that the devastation was immense. With the perpetrator deceased, the case was considered closed.
In the days following the horrific event, the Billings community came together to mourn the profound loss. Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil at Veterans Park on the evening of Thursday, August 27, 2026. Poster-sized portraits of each of the eight victims were displayed as friends, classmates, clergy, and law enforcement stood in solidarity. Speakers shared memories of those lost, remembering Evelyn’s love for pink and her sweet tooth. The community's response was a testament to the deep impact the Smith family had on those around them, and a somber tribute to the lives, including that of the family matriarch, Evelyn Smith, that were so violently cut short.
