The children range in age from three months to 10 years old, said Gilchrist County Sheriff Robert Schultz.
Robert Schultz said a colleague responded to reports of a shooting on Thursday afternoon and on arrival made contact with Don Charles Spirit, 51, before he killed himself.
“I haven’t seen anything like this at all,” said Robert Schultz.
“This county, this community is going to be devastated from this. It is a small county, we are all family here.
“We’re asking for prayers for this community and the families involved.”
After Don Charles Spirit took his own life, police found the other seven bodies in the house, although there were other people there who were still alive.
Don Charles Spirit, who was known to police previously, was the only suspect, said Robert Schultz.
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, the grandfather was once behind bars for a gun charge, and was released in February 2006.
Bell is a town of about 350 people located 30 miles west of Gainesville.
Multiple shootings in the US have happened in schools, colleges, military institutions, shopping malls and homes.
It is likely to reopen a painful debate about gun ownership, but is unlikely to change deeply entrenched polarized views.
DbgYLUQtXZEImage source: Wikimedia Commons President-elect Donald Trump celebrated his election victory at the Ultimate Fighting…
Millions of voters across the US chose to return Donald Trump to the White House…
Donald Trump declares victory in the US election as he addresses jubilant supporters in Florida.…
Stocks around the world are rising as Donald Trump appears to be on the cusp…
Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia and taken a lead over Kamala…
Quincy Jones, the celebrated musician and producer who worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray…