GILCHRIST COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies said a man shot and killed his daughter, his six grandchildren and himself inside a home in the small town of Bell in Gilchrist County on Thursday, sister station WFTV in Orlando reported.
During a press conference, deputies identified the shooter as 51-year-old Don Spirit and his daughter as Sarah Spirit.
Deputies said Don Spirit called 911 about 4 p.m., and referenced that he would harm people and himself.
When deputies arrived at the home, which sits on a long dirt road on 29th Street, they said all seven victims were dead, and deputies confronted Spirit before he killed himself in front of the officers, WFTV in Orlando reported.
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Spirit has served time in the Department of Corrections before, according to records.
He’s been arrested over the years on charges of battery, a hit-and-run incident and drug charges.
Deputies said they’ve been called to the home where the shooting happened in the past, but never for anything this serious.
“We’ve has nothing to this extent. We’ve had calls for service at that residence,” said Gilchrist County Sheriff Robert Schultz. “There was a criminal history on the suspect.”
It isn’t the first time Spirit has been accused of killing one of his children.
In 2001, authorities said he accidentally shot and killed his 8-year-old son in a hunting accident in Osceola County, WFTV in Orlando reported.
Spirit made a plea deal for firearms violations and spent three years in prison.
The children were between 3 months and 10 years old.
Deputies identified the children as Kylie Kuhlmann, 9, Kaleb Kuhlmann, 11, Johnathan Kuhlmann, 8, Destiny Stewart, 6, Alanna Stewart, 3-months-old, and Brandon Stewart, 4.
Deputies said there’s no telling what would cause Spirit to open fire.
“There are certain things in life that you can’t explain. There are certain things that you can. This is not one I can explain,” Schultz said.
Bell is small town of about 350 people and is located 30 miles west of Gainesville.
“I haven’t handled something like this at all and to say that this county, this community, is not going to be devastated from this, from a small county. We’re all family here,” Schultz said.
Many of the children attended the same school in the small town.