US man kills 8 relatives, including 4 children, at family dinner

Police said they responded to the home in Billings, Montana on Sunday and heard gunshots just before the house was engulfed in flames

A man killed eight of his relatives, including four children, at a Sunday dinner at a home in Billings, Montana, before taking his own life, a spokesperson for the family told Associated Press.

Jennifer Mercer, who set up an online fundraiser to help cover funeral costs and other expenses and was authorised to release details, identified the victims as representing four generations of the blended family, ranging from a great-grandmother in her 90s to a 7-year-old girl.

Police said they responded to the home on Sunday evening and heard gunshots coming from outside, just before the house was completely engulfed in flames.

They confirmed multiple fatalities, including one person with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

David Hiller, a neighbour, heard what he thought were fireworks just after 6pm on Sunday, and did not think much of the noise until another neighbour called to warn him about a shooting on the cul-de-sac.

Hiller then rushed outside to find police in tactical gear sheltering behind cars, some with long guns, while plumes of black smoke rose from the home.