In September 2014, a dreadful event disturbed the peace of Bell, Florida, near Gainesville. A 51-year-old man, Don Spirit, shot his daughter, 28-year-old Sarah Spirit, and her six grandchildren, aged from 10 weeks to 11 years old, and later committed suicide.
The disclosure of the event occurred through the gruesome 911 call recorded by WFTV. In a monotonous voice, Don Spirit informed the dispatcher that he killed his daughter and gave the address, and then passed, saying that he would commit suicide as well fighting the police.
In 2014, Don Spirit made an incredibly disturbing 911 call after he killed his daughter and six grandchildren.
Upon police arrival, there was a verbal exchange, after which Spirit fatally shot himself.
Spirit had a lengthy criminal record, which included serving three years in… PIC.TWITTER.COM/BIQV7UP6TG
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful) APRIL 9, 2024
The dispatcher attempted to gather information and keep him on the line, but Spirit remained resolute in his plan. He revealed that the killings were carried out with a .45-caliber handgun, which was later found near his body.
This act of violence claimed the lives of seven innocent people:
Sarah Lorraine Spirit (28 years old)
Kaleb Kuhlmann (11 years old)
Kylie Kuhlmann (9 years old)
Johnathon Kuhlmann (8 years old)
Destiny Stewart (5 years old)
Brandon Stewart (4 years old)
Alanna Stewart (10 weeks old)
At this point, the Bell community was left to recover from the devastating loss that could hardly be understood.
The Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office opened an intensive investigation. Authorities weren’t able to pinpoint a motive for the massacre despite conducting a thorough examination of Don Spirit’s past, despite a previous felony for the accidental killing of his son. In an appealing aspect to the tragedy, investigators revealed that Don Spirit was a convicted felon who could not possess a firearm.
No details are available on how he obtained the gun, according to authorities. State child welfare officials were also involved, having investigated Don Spirit just weeks before the incident due to concerns about drug use in the presence of the children.
The Bell community had to deal with the shocking consequences of this unimaginable deed. As Sheriff Robert Schultz specified in his condolences, the town’s inhabitants were undoubtedly “devastated.”
The criminal record of Don Spirit and the earlier DCF probe raise significant issues. Could this tragedy have been circumvented? It is not an easy question to respond to, but the recurring red flags are a reminder of the need for active intervention in such circumstances.
The Bell community mourns the victims of this heinous crime. The ongoing inquiry by the authorities strives to find an explanation and ensure that no such event will ever take place again. However, let this day be a solemn reminder of the need for mental health issues in the country, responsible attitude towards firearms, and protection of children.
