Florida: suspected ‘serial killer’ arrested

Howell Emanuel Donaldson III was arrested in connection with the shooting and murder of four since 9 October in the neighbourhood of Seminole Heights

Howell Emanuel Donaldson III (Photo: 10news)
Howell Emanuel Donaldson III (Photo: 10news)

Tampa police said on Tuesday that they arrested 24-year-old Howell Emanuel Donaldson III in connection with the murder and shooting of four in the Seminole Heights neighbourhood.

According to police chief Brian Dugan, who spoke in a press conference on Tuesday, Donaldson will be charged with four counts of first degree, premeditated murder in the killings of:

  • Benjamin Mitchell, 22, who was killed on 9 October while waiting on a bus stop
  • Monica Hoffa, 32, who was killed on 11 October while walking to meet a friend
  • Anthony Naiboa, 20, who was killed on 19 October while walking home from work
  • Ronald Felton, 60, who was killed on 14 November

Donaldson was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon at a McDonald’s when an employee said he handed a gun to a manager, who then reached out to an officer in the building, reported WTSP.

“When I think I found out there was a gun, and when we looked at his description, it was a little more than what we really had,” said Dugan.

“It just felt right. I kind of had a feeling that we were going to get a break,” he added.

Investigators are still determining Donaldson’s connection to the neighbourhood, said Dugan.

“We’re not sure why he was in this neighbourhood”.

“We’re not aware what the ties are and we don’t know what his motive is. But there is a lot more to go,” said Dugan.

A memorial, which was set up where Anthony Naiboa, 20 was shot (Photo: Tampa Bay Times)
A memorial, which was set up where Anthony Naiboa, 20 was shot (Photo: Tampa Bay Times)

CBS News correspondent Manuel Bojorquez reported that the man is from the Tampa area, but has connections to New York.

The New York police department confirmed that he was arrested in Manhattan in 2014, but would not disclose the reasons for his arrest.

Police have been searching for the person – or people – responsible for the shooting and killing of four people in Seminole Heights since the first on 9 October.

Authorities also said that the shootings happened within close proximity of each other, were not robberies, and could have been the work of a “serial killer.”

Increased patrols in the neighbourhood took place and surveillance videos of a hooded suspect were released.

In a security video taken just moments after Benjamin Mitchell was shot on 9 October, the suspect is seen running from the scene.

“I’ve come up with four reasons why this person is running,” said Dugan.

“One” they may be late for dinner. Two: they’re out exercising. Three: they heard gunshots. Four: they murdered Benjamin Mitchell.”

Seminole Heights is a working-class neighbourhood northeast of downtown Tampa.

As a consequence of the killings local police have accompanied students to bus stops, while protesters have held reclaim-the-streets demonstrations.