US Sunday dinner turns deadly: 8, including children, killed as gunman opens fire

Authorities told The US Sun that the residence was later engulfed in flames. The gunman allegedly set the house on fire after opening fire on those inside before turning the gun on himself during what police described as a “family disturbance.”

The house was nearly destroyed in the grisly incident, which occurred shortly after 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Among those killed were 12-year-old Charlotte Gheikere and her 15-year-old brother, Landon. Their father, Adam Ghekiere, told The US Sun that his wife, Megan, was also among the victims.

Megan, along with her children Owen, 13, and Chloe, 7, were killed in the attack, as was a 92-year-old wheelchair-bound woman who was their great-grandparent, according to the newspaper.

Two other people were also killed in the incident, although their identities have not yet been disclosed.

Father feared the worst after failing to reach family

Adam Ghekiere, an airport rescue firefighter, was working at an airshow when he learned through a fire department communications system that an incident was unfolding in the area where his wife's parents lived.

“I tried calling the house and no one answered,” he told The US Sun in an emotional interview.

Ghekiere said he also checked the locations of his children, Landon and Charlotte, but could not reach them. He then called Megan's cellphone, but there was no response.

“By the time we got to the house, they wouldn’t let us get any closer because it was still under an active shooter status. I feared the worst right then,” he said.

Gunman allegedly held grudge against parents

According to The US Sun, the gunman allegedly set the property on fire after the shooting and then killed himself. The newspaper reported that the massacre may have been driven by a grudge the shooter held against his own parents.

Authorities have not publicly disclosed further details about the motive.

GoFundMe launched to support grieving father

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help Ghekiere cope with funeral and memorial expenses and other costs following the tragedy.

“We are raising funds to help ease the financial burden ahead, including funeral and memorial expenses, time away from work, counseling, and the many unexpected costs that come with a tragedy of this magnitude,” the fundraising page said.

The campaign added that all funds raised would go directly to Adam Ghekiere.