Landon Ghekiere, 15, and his sister Charlotte, 12, were among eight family members shot dead by their step-uncle, Alan Smith, 44, at a family dinner in Billings, Montana, on 23 August. As their parents prepare for their funerals, obituaries and tributes have highlighted the siblings' promise, describing Landon's spirit of trying new activities and Charlotte's bravery in calling emergency services during the attack before the house was set alight.

Also killed were their step-mother Megan Ghekiere and step-siblings Owen Ireland, 13, and Chloe Ireland, seven; their father Adam Ghekiere was at work at the time. Landon, described as witty and intelligent, had recently joined his school's wrestling team, played trumpet and chess, and was preparing for a school trip to Germany and Switzerland. Charlotte, remembered as curious and independent, loved animals, crocheting and paddle boarding, and is to receive a posthumous National Heroism Award from the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation, which also plans to plant a memorial tree in her honour.