Gunman in Montana massacre that left 8 dead pictured for first time — as his slain sister’s best friend reveals red flags

The gunman who slaughtered eight of his relatives at a Montana home has been pictured for the first time – as his sister’s best friend has revealed his “verbally abusive” behavior before the tragedy.

Alan Smith, 44, had “no job” and “no money” when he stormed out of the family home in Billings, before returning weeks later and murdering eight people before torching the house and taking his own life, according to a close friend of his victim and sister, Megan Ireland-Ghekiere.

Kelsey Granger, who was maid of honor at both of Megan’s weddings, told The Post how she had known Smith for years – but hadn’t known him to be physically violent.

Gunman Alan Smith (far left) pictured with Megan Ghekiere, Dana Smith, Barbara Smith, and Evelyn Smith. Family handout
Alan Smith (left) with Barbara Smith and Dana Smith (right) attending Megan Ghekiere’s wedding on March 20, 2010. Facebook/Barbara Smith

“I know he was verbally abusive towards Megan occasionally as well as her children. He hadn’t been very nice to her children when he left,” Granger said from her home in Washington State.

“But as far as I know from what she told me, he left of his own accord. Nobody kicked him out of the house,” she added.

Megan Ghekiere (left) and her friend Kelsey Garland (right) are seen in an undated photo. Courtesy of Kelsey Garland
Alan Smith and Megan Ghekiere are pictured together in 2010. Megan Ireland

Granger, who has matching butterfly tattoos to her “sister” Megan, described how Smith left the home around the “end of July.”


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“I know she talked to me about it about July 14 or so, and then I believe the following week he left and did not tell anyone where he was going,” she said.

“But he didn’t have a job. He had no income as far as I know. So we didn’t know where he was, but we were not concerned,” Granger said. “I don’t believe her parents thought he was violent.”

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