Horror as man 'kills his six grandchildren and daughter before turning gun on himself' in small northern Florida town... 13 years after accidentally shooting his son dead while hunting

  • Don Spirit, 51, allegedly killed his daughter Sarah, 28, and six of her children
  • Shot and killed his son eight-year-old son Kyle while hunting in 2001 
  • Shooting took place in the small town of Bell, 30 miles west of Gainesville 
  • Florida law enforcement says it appears to be a 'murder suicide' 
  • Cops confirmed suspect called 911, saying he was going to 'harm others' 

A convicted felon allegedly killed his daughter and six grandchildren before turning the gun on himself in a murder suicide in northern Florida - 13 years after he accidentally shot his eight-year-old son dead in a hunting accident.

Don Spirit, 51, is said to have gunned down daughter Sarah, 28, and her six sons and daughters, before taking his own life at his home in Bell, a town of only 350 people 30 miles west of Gainesville.

The Gilchrist County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the victims were Kaleb Kuhlmann, 11, Kylie Kuhlmann, nine, Johnathon Kuhlmann, eight, Brandon Stewart, four and Destiny Stewart, five, and three-month-old Alana Stewart.

Scroll down for videos

Victim: Sarah Spirit is believed to have been shot by her father Don at his home in Bell, northern Florida
Victim: Sarah Spirit, 28, (left) and her six children are believed to have been shot by her father Don (right) at his home in Bell, northern Florida

Victim: Sarah Spirit, 28, (left) and her six children are believed to have been shot by her father Don (right) at his home in Bell, northern Florida

Deputies confirmed Spirit had called 911 warning he may harm himself or others shortly before his rampage. 

By the time an officer reached the property, Spirit had already committed suicide.

The suspect, Spirit, shot and killed his eight-year-old son Kyle during a hunting accident in 2001.

According to the Orlando-Sentinel, he spent three years in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon just as his trial was set to begin, in exchange for the minimum sentence. 

Spirit, having been convicted in 1998 for felony possession of marijuana, did not have rights to own a firearm. He was released in 2006. 

In 1990, he was arrested on a felony fugitive warrant. Others offences included drug charges and depriving a child of food and shelter, the New York Daily News reported.

His daughter Sarah had been on probation for a theft in 2013, jail records show.

Following yesterday's shooting, Gilchrist's county sheriff Robert Schultz said the suspect called 911, suggesting he was going to 'harm others as well as himself'.

Units were then sent to the family address where the suspect was found dead, along with seven victims. Schultz added that some people were still alive after the shooting, but would not elaborate on the number or their relationship to the family.  

He added that the department was not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting but insisted the investigation was ongoing. 

Victim: Nine-year-old Kylie Kuhlmann was one of Sarah Spirit's children who was gunned down by their grandfather, reports have suggested 
Victim: Nine-year-old Kylie Kuhlmann was one of Sarah Spirit's children who was gunned down by their grandfather, reports have suggested 

Victim: Nine-year-old Kylie Kuhlmann was one of Sarah Spirit's children who was gunned down by their grandfather, reports have suggested 

Brandon Stewart, four, is, also believed to be one of the victims of the tragic family home shooting
Brandon Stewart, four, (left) and Alexander Kuhlamn (right) are also believed to be among the victims of the tragic family home shooting

Brandon Stewart, four, (left) and Alexander Kuhlamn (right) are also believed to be among the victims of the tragic family home shooting

This picture is believed to be of Kaleb Kuhlmann, one of the young children who was found dead in the house 
This picture is believed to be of Kaleb Kuhlmann, one of the young children who was found dead in the house 

This picture is believed to be of Kaleb Kuhlmann, one of the young children who was found dead in the house 

Family murdered: Miss Spirit is pictured holding what is believed to be one of her children 

Family murdered: Miss Spirit is pictured holding what is believed to be one of her children 

These two children are also believed to have been among the victims. Gilchrist County has identified some of the young victims but have yet to establish all of those who were slain 

These two children are also believed to have been among the victims. Gilchrist County has identified some of the young victims but have yet to establish all of those who were slain 

Scene: A Gilchrist county sheriffs car sits at the end of a trailer home where seven members of a family were slain by their grandfather in Bell, Florida

Scene: A Gilchrist county sheriffs car sits at the end of a trailer home where seven members of a family were slain by their grandfather in Bell, Florida

Cordon: Six children and two adults have reportedly been killed during a shooting in the small northern Florida town of Bell. It is believed a man killed his five grandchildren, his adult daughter and then turned gun on himself 

Cordon: Six children and two adults have reportedly been killed during a shooting in the small northern Florida town of Bell. It is believed a man killed his five grandchildren, his adult daughter and then turned gun on himself 

Response: After the suspect called 911, units  were then sent to the family address where the suspect was found dead, along with seven victims

Response: After the suspect called 911, units  were then sent to the family address where the suspect was found dead, along with seven victims

'We're all family here, Schultz said. 'There are certain things in life you can explain; there are certain things you can't. This is one of those things that I can't explain.'

Schultz added that Bell and the surrounding community is close-knit and people would pull together.

'We'll get through this,' he said. 'I will continue to ask everybody to pray for the families.'

Florida Department of Law Enforcement spokeswoman Samantha Andrews confirmed the agency is investigating the shootings and that it appeared to be a murder-suicide. 

'At this point, FDLE is investigating at the request of the Gilchrist County sheriff,' Andrews said. 'It appears to be a murder-suicide. There is no danger to the community. It was at a private residence there at Bell.'

On Facebook, the sheriff's office wrote: 'At 4 pm today [Thursday], Gilchrist County deputies responded to an incident at a residence in Bell. No citizens are in danger. At this time we are asking for prayers as we continue to investigate this incident.' 

Statement: Gilchrist's county sheriff Robert Schultz told a news conference that the suspect called 911, suggesting he was going to 'harm others as well as himself'

Breaking: TV 20's David Snyder began reporting the shooting in the small town this afternoon

Breaking: TV 20's David Snyder began reporting the shooting in the small town this afternoon

Update: Police have now confirmed the suspect is Don Spirit, 54, the father of Sarah Spirit

Update: Police have now confirmed the suspect is Don Spirit, 54, the father of Sarah Spirit

Location: Bell is a small town of just 350 people about 30 miles west of Gainesville, Florida

Location: Bell is a small town of just 350 people about 30 miles west of Gainesville, Florida

A teacher at Bell Elementary School, which four of the children attended, described seeing the 'happy-go-lucky' children at 3pm on the school bus, hours before they died, the New York Daily News reported.

Gilchrist County Schools Superintendent Robert Rankin told the paper: 'It's a tough, tough morning at Bell Elementary School.' 

 

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.