Fla. Man Kills Wife, Four Stepkids; Spares Biological Children

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (CBS/WFOR/AP) A South Florida man spared his two biological children but fatally shot his estranged wife and four stepchildren early Monday before turning the gun on himself, police said.

Seven children were inside the home when Patrick Dell, 41, shot Natasha Whyte-Dell, 36, and four of her children, who were all pronounced dead at the scene. A 15-year-old at the home was brought to the hospital.

Investigators believe Dell acted alone when he shot his family with a handgun. Neighbors said he was kicked out of a club Sunday night because he was drunk and making threats. It was unclear if the threats were directed at his family.

Police said there was a restraining order against Dell. Chief Clarence Williams said authorities would not comment on a motive, other than a pending divorce.

The 15-year-old, who was transported to St. Mary's Hospital, was responsive prior to going into surgery Monday morning, Williams said.

"All indications are that he's doing well," Williams said.

The couple's two biological children, believed to be ages 1 and 3, were being cared for by relatives, police said.

A police officer was checking a suspicious vehicle around 2 a.m. when he heard what sounded like muffled gun shots, Riviera Beach police spokeswoman Rose Anne Brown said. When officers approached the home, Dell went outside and shot himself, she said.

Inside the home, officers found the bodies of the woman and four children identified as 10-year-old Daniel Barnett; 11-year-old Javon Nelson; 13-year-old Diane Barnett; and 14-year-old Bryan Barnett.

Neighbor Keisha Gordon said she was with Dell at a club late Sunday night when he was asked to leave because he was drunk and causing trouble. Dell did have a temper, she said.

"He was talking about chopping up somebody," 30-year-old Gordon said, standing across the street from the yellow house with the green trim cordoned off by police tape.

Palm Beach County School District officials plan to have grief counselors available at each of the children's schools.

The shootings occurred in a rundown neighborhood near a small brick church.