A Riviera Beach family devastated by tragedy gets help from the community

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. - A Riviera Beach family devastated by last month's murder-suicide that claimed six lives has been able to slowly move forward thanks to the support from the community.

It was a senseless crime that happened September 27, 2010. Cut short were the lives of 10 year-old Daniel Barnett, 11 year-old Javon Nelson, 13 year-old Diane Barnett, 14 year-old Bryan Barnett, and their mother Natasha Whyte-Dell.

Police say the gunman, Patrick Dell, who was the children's stepfather, also killed himself.

Rivera Beach city leaders have agreed to assist and organize a week-long clothing drive for the surviving children.

Clothes were accepted at all four Riviera Beach fire stations.

Tuesday afternoon, boxes of donated clothes were loaded up and delivered by firefighters and city leaders to Gloria Whyte, the grandmother of the estranged couple's two year-old son and three year-old daughter.

"Happy...glad that the community come together and support us," Whyte said.

Clothes were also delivered to Michael Barnett, the father of 16 year-old Ryan Barnett. Ryan was shot in the neck but survived and is recovering.

"Very thankful for this event. I'm...I'm...I'm hurt inside but I got to try like I don't hurt but I'm hurt very hurt so...I give thanks for everything," Barnett said.

Ryan is a sophomore and an honor student at Dwyer High School. For now, he is doing all his school work from home.

His father hopes that a donor will contribute a computer so Ryan can e-mail his assignments to his teachers.