Thursday, September 18, 2014

Killer dad murders daughter, six grandchildren (Bell, Florida)

Yet another father commits mass murder. This one is identified as DON C. SPIRIT.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/18/bell-florida-shooting/

Bell, Florida shooting: Grandfather killed daughter, 6 kids and self, police say

Published September 18, 2014 ·FoxNews.com

A grandfather shot and killed his daughter and her six children Thursday in the town of Bell, Florida before committing suicide after police arrived at the scene, authorities said.

The children ranged in age from three months to 10 years old, Gilchrist County Sheriff Robert D. Schultz III told reporters at an evening press conference.

Schultz identified the suspect as Don C. Spirit, 51, a white male. The sheriff said Spirit had placed a 911 call around 4:30 p.m. in which he "made reference to harming people and himself."

Schultz declined to speculate on a motive, citing the ongoing investigation, but he said Spirit had a criminal history, and that police had been called previously to his house.

"We're asking for prayers for this community and the victims involved," Schultz said.

In 2001, Spirit pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after he fatally shot his 8-year-old son in the head in a hunting accident, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Spirit, who also was convicted in 1998 for felony possession of marijuana, was sentenced to three years in prison for the shooting, the Sentinel added.

Bell is a town of 350 people about 30 miles west of Gainesville.