Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Charlotte Ghekiere to Receive National Heroism Award

8/27/2026

36 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Charlotte Ghekiere Honored

The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation will posthumously award Charlotte Ghekiere the National Heroism Award.
Sheriff Kent O'Donnell said investigators believe multiple fires were set inside the home.
Police said the shooter had no prior police contact and the house was not a drug location.
Online fundraisers raised over $100,000 on the first day for funeral and counseling costs.

Summary

Alan Smith Family Massacre

Alan Smith killed eight relatives at a dinner in Billings, Montana.
Victims included three Smith elders, Megan Ireland-Ghekiere and her four children.
Charlotte Ghekiere, 12, dialed 911 from inside the house before the fire spread.
Smith fled inside after police confronted him.
Smith was later found dead from a gunshot wound.

History

Historical Context

On April 20 1999, seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 13 students and a teacher at Columbine High School in Colorado, firing 188 rounds and injuring 23 others. The tragedy sparked the FBI’s first nationwide school-shooting probe (costing $1.2 million) and ignited a wave of copycat attacks, prompting new school-security policies and intensified gun-control debates across the United States.

1 of 3

Charlotte Ghekiere Honored

The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation will posthumously award Charlotte Ghekiere the National Heroism Award.
Sheriff Kent O'Donnell said investigators believe multiple fires were set inside the home.
Police said the shooter had no prior police contact and the house was not a drug location.
Online fundraisers raised over $100,000 on the first day for funeral and counseling costs.

1 / 3