Did 9-1-1 Confusion Lead to Triple Homicide?

Could a triple homicide have been prevented? That's the question the victim's families are asking.

On Thursday, authorities say David Hartline started shooting at a home on Rainbow Circle, where his ex-girlfriend was celebrating her 8-year-old's birthday party. The girl's father, Kenny Simonson, her grandfather, Ed Manz, and Hartline were all killed during the gunfire, while six children were inside the home.

But could a 911 call that had been placed four hours earlier been handled better?

That first call around 4:30 went to the wrong county, Murray instead of Whitfield. Then, what was first a cry for help from police, was relayed as just a lookout call, not requiring an officer's response.

You can hear Mindy Bullard on the 911 call says, "I need an officer to my house, on Rainbow Circle Drive."

She seemed to know early in the day how dangerous her ex-boyfriend David Hartline might be.

But her call for help went to Murray County dispatchers instead of Whitfield, a common problem for cell phones. Murray County director Peggy Vick says they followed policy and relayed the information to Whitfield.

But that call came in to Whitfield as a call to "be on the lookout."

The recorded dispatcher said, "Got a lookout, Rainbow Circle, it's in your county."

That meant no Whitfield County deputies were sent to the scene.

Four hours later, police say Hartline was in the home, shooting.

On another 911 call we hear a 9-year-old boy tell dispatchers, "My dad got shot in the leg and my mom."

Brian Simonson said his brother was shot eight times protecting and saving his kids, and wonders if he could have been saved by a better response.

"It just seems like the ball was dropped in Whitfield County," said Simonson.

Again, Whitfield County says they handled the "lookout" call as per procedure. But director Jeff Ownby admits had the call come directly to Whitfield County dispatchers, it may have been handled differently.

Kenny Simonson’s visitation will be Tuesday from 6-8 pm at Jim Rush North Funeral Home in Cleveland.

A fund has been set up to help the family.  If you would like to contribute, just go to any Suntrust Bank.  The account is the Kenneth Simonson Memorial Fund.