
Several people, including children, have died after a gunman opened fire on a home in Billings, Montana, which then burst into flames, authorities said.
The incident, which took place near the city's West End, was initially described by police as a domestic dispute. The assailant died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in what authorities have described as a suicide.
Yellowstone County Interim Sheriff Kent O'Donnell said at a news conference Monday that "several adults and several juveniles" were killed in the apartment. Authorities have identified the victims, but will not release the exact number of those killed, their names or ages at this time.
O'Donnell explained that the fire and the large amount of water used by firefighters to extinguish it made it difficult to collect evidence at the scene. A possible motive for the incident has not yet been determined.
Police said that shots could be heard during the 911 call. Law enforcement arrived on the scene about 10 minutes later and heard gunshots coming from the back of the apartment. Just three minutes later, the house was completely engulfed in flames.