BELL, Fla. — The reality of a mass murder-suicide is still sinking in for many in and around the small town of Bell, Florida.
"I think about those kids 24 hours a day," said Terri Becker, who drove up from Dixie County to lay flowers and pay her respects.
[ Related Link: 911 call released in Bell Shooting ]
"They were innocent. They didn't live long enough to do anything wrong," said Becker.
The best friend of Sarah Spirit, the mother of the six children shot dead by their grandfather, is also talking about the shootings.
[ Special Section: Family Tragedy in Bell ]
Katie Stewart is the cousin of James Stewart, the father of the three youngest children slain at their grandfather's home last week.
Stewart said Sarah Spirit always provided for her kids, calling her a good mother. Stewart said Sarah, James and the kids lived at Katie's grandmother's house off-and-on for about eight years.
Stewart said when her cousin went to jail, Spirit and her children went to stay with Don Spirit.
The best friend said the whole family is grieving. They didn't lose just one person, they lost seven, said Stewart.
She also said she saw Don Spirit curse and yell but never be violent.
"He's sick, just sick," said Stewart after listening to the recently released 911 call.
[ VIDEO: 911 call released in Bell Shooting ]
Stewart claimed Don Spirit had bipolar disorder and rarely left the house because he was unemployed.
A DCF investigation revealed Don Spirit had a history of violence towards his daughter and grandchildren who had recently moved into his home.
“When that happens it is not unusual for these family members to think the rest of the family cannot survive without me. And because they can't survive without me, they will have to go with me. Certainly a tragedy.” Carson said.
Law and Safety expert Dale Carson says it's obvious, Spirit needed intervention
“I think what's important to note, is that there are people, whom we know, who appear depressed, unhappy, and those are people who need help. And the sooner they get help, the more likely it is that they'll get better,” Carson said.