Why Did Don Spirit Kill His Family? Everything We Know

By: Sayani Hazra

Published on:

Before shooting himself in a Florida house, a convicted criminal fatally murdered his daughter and six grandkids. According to Gilchrist County Sheriff Robert Schultz, the shooter, identified as 51-year-old Don Spirit, committed suicide after police officers arrived at the residence in Bell, which was located outside of Gainesville. Authorities discovered nearly seven victims all over the property, according to Schultz. There was even a 10-week-old infant in the mix.

Don Spirit already had a lengthy criminal history dating back 22 years. According to 2003 reports, one allegation of possessing a handgun by a convicted felon was filed after he pled guilty to accidentally shooting and killing his 8-year-old son while out hunting.

Between 1992 and 1995, he was convicted of depriving a kid of food and shelter and possession of drug paraphernalia and was sentenced to three years in jail. Officers indicated they had previously gone to the property on many occasions for law enforcement purposes.

Sarah Lorraine Spirit, 28, and her kids Alanna Stewart, 22 months, Brandon Stewart, 4, Destiny Stewart, 5, and Kylie Kuhlmann, 9, and boys Johnathon Kuhlmann, 8, and Kaleb Kuhlmann, 11, were confirmed as the victims. Schultz added, at a news conference, “This is something you can’t describe.” “I’ll keep asking everyone to pray for the families.”

Don Spirit: Quick Facts You Should Know

In a brutal murder-suicide, Don Spirit has been identified as the gunman who murdered his daughter, six grandsons, and himself on September 18 in Bell, Florida. What we know about Spirit and his participation in this horrific catastrophe is as follows.

The Victims Included a 10-Week-Old Baby

The details of the massacre in Bell, Florida, just outside of Gainesville, on September 18 are unsettling and gory. Bodies were discovered “scattered across the premises.” Sarah Lorraine Spirit, 28, and her six children, Kaleb Kuhlmann, 11, Kylie Kuhlmann, 9, Johnathon Kuhlmann, 8, Destiny Stewart, 5, Brandon Stewart, 4, and 10-week-old infant Alanna Stewart, were killed before Spirit committed herself.

In 2001, He Fatally Shot His 8-Year-Old Son

Spirit killed his 8-year-old son, Kyle, in a hunting accident in 2001. He was later imprisoned for the incident since it was unlawful for him to possess a pistol as a convicted criminal. In 2003, he agreed to a plea deal and was sentenced to three years in prison. According to documents from the Florida Department of Corrections, he was released on February 19, 2006:

With boys Kyle and Josh on a hike in the woods… Spirit pointed out corrosion on his high-powered Browning rifle’s barrel. Kyle was wounded in the head by the weapon… Spirit then drove miles into the deep woods, searching for aid with Kyle in the back of the vehicle…

He Is A Convicted Felon With A Lengthy Criminal Record

Spirit, 51, has spent more than 20 years in and out of prison, with convictions for violence, denying a kid food and shelter, fleeing the scene of an accident, and felony marijuana possession.

Before The Killing Spree, He Dialled 911

Spirit contacted the sheriff’s office at 4 p.m. on the day of the shooting, declaring his desire to kill himself or others, according to Gilchrist County Sheriff Robert Schultz.

There are still a lot of questions that haven’t been addressed. There will be questions that we will never have answers to. Keep this community with your thoughts and prayers… Gilchrest County is in for a rough day on Friday.

According to Schultz, Spirit saved the lives of several persons at the house. Schultz did not reveal the weapon or weapons used in the shooting.

Florida Man Kills His Daughter And 6 Grandchildren In Murder-Suicide

In a spree at a house in Florida that officials said they had previously been called to, a father who served time in jail a decade ago for the shooting death of his young son murdered six of his grandkids, including a newborn, as well as his adult daughter and himself.

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Gilchrist County Sheriff Robert Schultz said the shooter, 51-year-old Don Spirit, contacted 911 to indicate he could kill himself or others. Spirit committed himself when a deputy arrived, and officials discovered the seven gunshot victims “all over the premises,” according to Schultz.

Schultz refused to tell whether or not a weapon was found or what kind of weapon was used. He didn’t say why the slaughter happened, but deputies had gone to the house before for different reasons.

“A lot of questions remain unsolved.” “There will be questions that we’ll never get answers to,” he said.

Schultz also declined to reveal if the dead woman, 28-year-old Sarah Lorraine Spirit, was the mother of the two boys and four girls who frequented the small residence.

Schultz revealed the identities of the victims during a subsequent press conference. They were Kaleb Kuhlmann, 11, Kylie Kuhlmann, 9, Johnathon Kuhlmann, 8, Destiny Stewart, 5, Brandon Stewart, 4, and Alanna Stewart, born in June, in addition to Sarah Spirit.

Police had blocked off the length of the gravel road leading to the property in Bell, a community of 350 people approximately 30 miles west of Gainesville, as night set.

Schultz added late Thursday, “Keep this neighborhood in your prayers.” “It will be a tough day in Gilchrist County tomorrow.”

According to Schultz, Spirit was the lone suspect, and some individuals were left alive at the house. Spirit, according to Schultz, has a criminal background. According to the Florida Department of Corrections website, Spirit was released from jail in February 2006 after serving time on a firearms offense.

Don Spirit, then 40, pled guilty to possession of a handgun by a convicted felon in the fatal shooting of his 8-year-old son, Kyle, in a 2001 hunting mishap, according to a 2003 Orlando Sentinel report. He was distraught over the shooting at his sentencing hearing and received a three-year term.

According to the narrative, Spirit pointed out the rust on the muzzle of Kyle’s weapon during a hike in the woods with Kyle and an older son. According to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the rifle discharged, striking Kyle in the head. According to a charging document, Spirit was convicted of felony marijuana possession in 1998.

Daniel Barry, a Bell resident, struggled to process the tragedy in the town west of I-75. “The children’s situation is awful. “Why to include the kids, even if there are family problems?” he said outside a convenience shop. “It’s bad enough that he killed his daughter, but his grandchildren?” It’s bizarre.”

Leave a Comment