Apparent Murder-Suicide Leaves Six Children, Two Adults Dead in Small Florida Town

UPDATE — 8:40 p.m. ET: Gilchrist County Sheriff Robert Schultz confirmed that eight individuals are dead, including six children, following an apparent murder-suicide in Bell, Florida.

A man identified as Don Spirit shot his daughter and six grandchildren before dialing 911, Schultz said. After being confronted by authorities, the man, who had a criminal history, committed suicide.

PIC: Sheriff says Don Spirit, seen here, killed daughter, 6 grandchildren, self. #WFTV. pic.twitter.com/KQlPBR8r1v

— Ryan Hughes - WFTV (@RHughesWFTV) September 19, 2014

The ages of the deceased children range from three-months-old to 10-years-old.

Schultz said the small town will come together in the days ahead and work through the tragic events as one.

"We're all family here," he said. "There are certain things in life that you can explain, there are certain things you can't. This is not one that I can explain."

"If I didn't have a doubt about anything else is that this community will come together and we will continue to be a family — we will work through this," he added.

—

Multiple people were shot Thursday in a rural Florida county, possibly leaving several dead, according to reports.

WFTV reporter Ryan Hughes reported that deputies said eight individuals had been shot and six were dead in Bell, Florida.

8 shot, 6 dead, in shooting in Bell, FL, deputies say. #WFTV.

— Ryan Hughes - WFTV (@RHughesWFTV) September 18, 2014

MORE: Mass shooting scene in Bell FL, west of Gainesville https://t.co/ntsjrTMpb2 … (Photo @BecharaReports) pic.twitter.com/IeA9mbcWi7

— Communication Center (@stacos) September 18, 2014

I'm as close as I can get, the scene is still active. GCSO is letting neighbors in and out, no media #BellShooting pic.twitter.com/Mm6tRR0tl7

— Hailey Holloway (@HHollowayNews) September 18, 2014

Several children were believed to be among the dead, Hughes added. Other reports indicated the shooting could have been a murder-suicide.

Several children believed to be among the dead in Bell, Florida, shooting. #WFTV.

— Ryan Hughes - WFTV (@RHughesWFTV) September 18, 2014

A press conference is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

—

Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter

—

Carousel image via Twitter/@BecharaReports