New details from the investigation are beginning to reveal the terrifying sequence of events behind the deadly shooting and fire at a Billings, Montana, home.

According to investigators, the first emergency call came in at approximately 6:01 p.m. Sunday, reporting an active shooting at the residence on White Star Circle. When the first officer arrived around 6:12 p.m., additional gunfire was heard coming from behind the house. Just minutes later, smoke was visible and the home became fully engulfed in flames.

The combination of gunfire and the rapidly spreading fire created an extraordinarily dangerous scene. Emergency crews could not immediately approach the burning structure in the normal way because officers were still dealing with the threat of gunfire. Investigators are now working to reconstruct exactly what happened inside the home during those critical minutes.

Eight members of one blended family — four adults and four children — were killed. The victims reportedly represented four generations, ranging from a 7-year-old girl to a great-grandmother in her 90s. Family members have since begun sharing memories of the victims as investigators work to establish the complete timeline.

One of the most heartbreaking details to emerge involves 12-year-old Charlotte Ghekiere. According to relatives, Charlotte called 911 during the shooting, helping alert authorities to what was happening inside the home. Her family has described her actions as heroic.

Authorities have identified 44-year-old Alan Smith as the suspected shooter, according to family members cited by The Associated Press. Smith was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later died. Investigators have said the incident began as a family disturbance, while the exact motive remains under investigation.

Investigators are now examining the relationship between the people inside the home, the events leading up to the shooting, the 911 calls, the gunfire heard by responding officers and how the fire started. The precise sequence remains an active part of the investigation.

One crucial point remains unresolved: authorities have not publicly established every detail surrounding the motive or the exact circumstances that caused the house to catch fire. Early reports and family accounts may continue to change as investigators process evidence from the scene.