Man kills wife, stepkids, self; spares own kids

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A South Florida man spared his two biological children when he 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, killed their mother, identified as Natasha Whyte-Dell, 36, authorities said. She and four children were pronounced dead at the scene. All had been shot.

Investigators believe Dell acted alone, but an investigation was ongoing. The weapon was a handgun and the victims had been shot in various parts of their bodies, Chief Clarence Williams said.

A 15-year-old 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.

Two of the couple’s biological children, believed to be ages 1 and 3, were being cared for by relatives, police said.