© WFTV
The shooter was identified as Don Charles Spirit, grandfather, who shot his daughter and six of his grandchildren before taking his won life, Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office confirmed during a press-conference.
The incident took place at the Spirit's home in a small town of Bell.
The children's age varied from 3 months to 10 years of age. The mother of the kids was identified as Sarah Spirit, according to Action News.
Children ages 3mo to about 10 years old. Grandfather shot his daughter and her 6 children. #BellShooting pic.twitter.com/zvgb0YHD5gPolice received a call about the shooting around 4 p.m. local time, Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office said on its Facebook page.
- Hailey Holloway (@HHollowayNews) September 19, 2014
The grandfather committed suicide as the responding deputy to the 911 call made contact with Spirit, Sheriff Robert Schultz said.
The shooting occurred north of the town of Bell, off a rural road a couple of miles from US 129, according to local newspaper The Gainesville Sun.
Sheriff confirms suspect in #bellshooting is Don Charles Spirit: http://t.co/Tx7l93ujPk pic.twitter.com/25FYrYld2SBell has a population of 350 people and is located 30 miles (48 km) west of Gainesville.
- ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) September 19, 2014
Reader Comments
They off themselves to avoid the result of their crime. Florida is truly a messed-up place. I was living there when the Supremes gave us monster Bush as king. Lots of people were way cool with that! Dumb as they come. Also heavily hit by fallout from FUKU which isn't helping.