Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 12-1-17

Seminole Heights Murders
Families Comment On Arrest In Seminole Heights Murders
Murder Suspect Ordered Held Without Bond
HOWELL DONALDSON, III ... Charged with 4 counts of first-degree murder
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A Hillsborough Circuit judge has ordered a man ac- cused of four murders to be held without bond. He made his first court appearance Thursday morning.
Judge Margaret Tay- lor told Howell Donald- son, III, that he would remain behind bars at least until Tuesday when a bond hearing will take place. It is slated to begin at 10 a.m.
Donaldson was arrested
Tuesday and charged with the
four murders that took place
in Seminole Heights between
October 9th and November 14th.
Police received the break they needed on Tuesday when Donaldson reportedly walked into the McDonald’s Restaurant and handed a bag to the manager. When the bag was opened, it contained a gun.
The manager alerted a po- lice officer sitting in the restaurant at the time. At 5 p.m., Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan announced that the gun matched bullets used in the first three mur- ders.
“I was guarded, but opti- mistic. This was the piece of evidence we needed was the gun,” Chief Dugan said.
For 51 days, the city was held hostage by an unknown gunman stalking Seminole Heights. Police quickly real- ized that the only things the victims had in common was that they were walking alone in dark when killed.
Chief Dugan credited other law enforcement agen- cies calling them “unsung he- roes” for the roles they played in the investigation. The other agencies included the Hills- borough County Sheriff’s Of- fice, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, the University of South Florida Police De- partment, the Florida Depart-
ment of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Florida Highway Patrol, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the U. S. Marshal’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investiga- tions.
According to the criminal affidavit, Donaldson pur- chased the gun from Shooter’s World, 116 E. Fletcher Avenue, on October 7th. He also purchased a box of ammunition.
During the interview, he admitted the gun belonged to him and that no one else had control of it since he pur- chased it. He reportedly gave police permission to search his cellular phone and his ve- hicle. During the search of the vehicle, police reportedly found clothing similar to those worn by the murder suspect. The clothing also in- dicated there was a suspected blood stain on it.
After being confronted with the evidence, he re- quested an attorney, ending the interview.
He reportedly told investi- gators that he was not famil- iar with the Seminole Heights neighborhood and did not have any association with anyone in the area.
Police further stated in the document that cell phone records place the phone in the area of the first three mur- ders.
The affidavit provided ad- ditional information about the victims:
Benjamin Mitchell was shot 4 times on October 9th. The murder took place near N. 15th Street and E. Frierson Avenue. A video at a business captured the image of the hooded culprit. Mitchell was shot at 9 p.m.
Ms. Hoffa’s body was discovered on the morning of Friday, October 13th. Police had responded to reports of gunshots being fired near N. 11th Street and East New Or- leans Avenue, shortly before 9 p.m., on October 11th. She had been shot 3 times. She was walking to meet a friend on the evening of October 11th.
At 7:57 p.m., on October 19th, Anthony Naiboa was
shot once after he mistakenly got off the bus and was walk- ing in the 5100 block of N. 15th Street.
The suspect did not strike again for 26 days. At 4:50 a.m., on November 14th, shots rang out again. This time, the victim was Ronald Felton, who was killed crossing the street in the 1500 block of N. Nebraska Avenue.
Shell casings were found at the scenes of each murder that linked the cases together.
During the press confer- ence, Mayor Bob Buck- horn praised Chief Dugan, the Tampa Police officers, Governor Rick Scott, and the other agencies involved in the investigation.
Mayor Buckhorn said, “Tampa is ready to move on and turn the page. The best story is still to be written.”
Howell Donaldson, III Donaldson, 24, attended the public schools of Hillsbor- ough County. He graduated from Alonso High School in
2011.
The young man continued
his education at St. John’s University. While at the pri- vate, Catholic institution, he was a walk-on basketball player for the school for one year. He earned his degree and graduated from the uni- versity.
Prior to his arrest, Don- aldson had no prior police records.
McDonald’s Manager Gets 9K
Ms. Delonda Walker,
manager at McDonald’s where Donaldson had worked for the last 2 months, received a portion of the $110,000 reward being of- fered.
On Wednesday, Richard Gonzmart, owner of the Co- lumbia Restaurant, presented her with a $9,000 check he had promised. “She doesn’t look at herself as a hero. How do you not look at yourself like a hero to take this mon- ster off the streets? She’s a hero in my eyes.”
Chief Dugan said the re- ward will be distributed in the future.
BENJAMIN
MITCHELL ... Died October 9th
MONICA HOFFA ... Died October 11th
ANTHONY NAIBOA
... Died October 19th
RONALD FELTON ... Died November 14th
On Wednesday morning, the Tampa Police Depart- ment held a press conference. During the conference, police answered questions about the arrest of 24-year-old Howell Donaldson, III, who has been charged with all four murders.
At the press conference, Kenny Hoffa, father of Ms. Monica Caridad Hoffa, 32, the second victim, shared his feelings with those in at- tendance.
“I thank everyone. A l0t of people will be able to sleep now. And, we will not let their names die in vain,” Hoffa said.
Casimar Naiboa, father of 20-year-old Anthony Naiboa, the third victim said, “I’m relieved an arrest has been made and they are not looking for this person anymore. Everyone stood with us and felt our pain.”
Mrs. Aretha Jones is the mother of Ronald Fel- ton, the oldest victim at 60, and the last victim.
She stated, “I feel like they have the right person. I hope he rots in hell. Why did he do it? What was his motive, why?”
Mrs. Tina Felton, sister of Ronald Felton, is dealing with a double tragedy, the loss of her brother and her husband.
“If this is him, right now, I hope he rots in hell. My
brother didn’t deserve this and neither did the others. I believe he should be held ac- countable. Anyone who takes someone else’s life should be held accountable. Too many people have suffered behind this.
“I believe someone knew he was doing this and it could have been stopped. If they didn’t know, I believe they knew something was wrong and they should have gotten him help before he started killing. Who’s to say that my husband didn’t get sick wor- rying about me worrying about my brother?
“I’m a God-fearing woman and maybe my feel- ings will change, but for right now, I’m suffering and other families are suffering. None of the people killed will ever have a chance to go to work, laugh with their friends, or live normal lives. Their lives and plans were taken away from them.”
Mrs. Cherylene Levy, sister of Ronald Felton said, “I’m glad they got him and it didn’t happen in a shootout. It couldn’t have happened any better. My brother died a hero and God is still in control.
“There are still a lot of questions that need to be an- swered. But, people still need to be cautious and I don’t think they should let their guard down right away.”
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017