Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 12-1-17

Seminole Heights Murders
Residents Respond To Seminole Heights Murder Arrest On The Internet
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The news of the arrest of a Tampa man in connection with four murders in Seminole Heights quickly spread throughout the community. Several people shared their comments about the arrest of Howell Donaldson, III, on the Sentinel’s Facebook page.
Crystal Woods, “Looks like Jamie Foxx to me. Let’s see what the evidence con- firms.”
Heaven Reed, “I believe they are lying.”
Anita Shepherd, “This is real sad. I thought he was a nice guy. His family is great people. Wow, what was he thinking, he killed those people for noth- ing.”
Tiffany Brown, “Innocent until proven guilty.”
Crystal Woods, “Light skin and slim, too, remember?” Tzarina Rodriguez, “Yes, he’s short and a little buff to
me.”
Dee Ackerson, “You can’t
just assume this is him and the real killer still out there. Smh. People don’t think they just want anybody in jail.”
D’Andra Johnson, “I cannot even sleep. Man this aint’ right.”
Rhonda Trice, “I hope and pray they got the “right” person!”
Courtney Adams, “Could be a copycat. Did he say he did it? Or, is this some police BS.”
Loretha Pruitt, “Remem- ber they said it might be more than one killer”
Gloria Ellison, “I don’t think it was him.”
Angel Watson, “They don’t really know it’s him. They have to do all kinds of forensic testing. They need a patsy. Honestly, I don’t think they have the right person. This dude isn’t light complexion at all... A gun in Ybor isn’t un- usual.”
Stephanie Challenger,
“I hope they’re not jumping the gun on this and arrested (yet) another innocent brother just to close the case while the real killer is still free.”
Herley Lyles, “Serial killers are people you would not suspect (unusual suspects). I believe the police have the right person.”
Nancy Williams, “I pray this young fellow is not going 2b falsely accused just to end this. If he is guitly then, let jus- tice prevail. But, don’t railroad him. He is not light skinned.”
Shanel Greene, “Even if he is falsely accused, that does- n’t mean it will end. If the per- son responsible is not him, what would make the killings stop?”
Ahsila Brown, “I really hope it’s him so that people can feel safe again. But, if it’s not, I pray they find the correct per- son before someone else gets hurt.”
D’Andre Weaver, “Did he confess? How sure are they?”
Elected Officials Have Been Concerned About Seminole Heights Murders
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The African-American elected officials have been closely watching the develop- ments of the 4 murders that occurred in Seminole Heights. Some officials live in the sasme area and others are a short dis- tance away.
Like the residents of Semi- nole Heights, the elected offi- cials are also relieved that someone is in custody.
State Senator Darryl
“The co-workers of the sus- pect should also be com- mended for doing the right thing and alerting police when it became clear something was amiss. I look forward to the victims and their families re- ceiving justice once the perpe- trator is convicted and sentenced.”
Hillsborough County Commissioner Lesley “Les” Miller,
said of the re-
cent develop-
ments: “I’m
relieved that
law enforce-
ment has captured this person, and I know the people in Semi- nole Heights are doubly re- lieved.
“I know some thought that law enforcement was not doing enough, but we’re especially grateful to every agency that had a part in trying to capture this criminal. The Tampa Po- lice Dept. (TPD), Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), Federal Bureau of In- vestigation (FBI), Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Florida Highway Patrol (FPH), Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), {the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Petersburg Police Dept. loaned the use of equip- ment}, and any other agencies that assisted in this effort.
“On yesterday, the Lord re- vealed to us through the due diligence of the persons at the McDonald’s Restaurant, the person who may be responsi- ble for these crimes.
“Hopefully, these 4 families will get some kind of closure,” he stated.
Tampa City Councilman
Frank Red-
dick has been
in the Semi-
nole Heights
community
on several oc-
casions with the police since the murders began. He said: “I’m somewhat relieved that they apprehended someone. I’m hoping it’s the right one. All the profiles they’ve given do not fit the person they have in custody. So, we’re hoping it’s the right one.
“The residents in Seminole Heights must feel relieved. As they move forward in their lives, they can look forward to justice being done in the fu- ture,” he said.
Rouson was
for a Legisla-
tive commit-
tee meeting
when reached
Wednesday
morning. He
plans to reach all of the fami- lies on his drive back to the area in the afternoon.
“Just like the residents of Seminole Heights, I experi- enced a sense of relief and a sense of accomplishment. I joined them in their fear. I also applaud the residents of Semi- nole Heights in their resolve to continue in their daily affairs, knowing that the police were working diligently to get the person off the streets.
“How alert were the citi- zens in helping the police to do their work. If the employees at the McDonald’s had disre- garded their gut feeling, who knows what may have contin- ued to happen. It’s a testament not only to the work of the po- lice, but the involvement of the community.
“I would continue to en- courage us, ‘if you see some- thing, say something’,” Sen. Rouson concluded.
State Representative Sean Shaw
said: “I live in
Seminole
Heights and
can attest to
the angst that
we have all lived with since these murders began. Since October 9, this community (and city) has been terrorized by an evil killer whose random attacks devastated the family of the 4 victims.
“Now that the suspect has been apprehended, Seminole Heights can breathe a sigh of relief. We are thankful to Mayor Buckhorn, Tampa Police Department, and all of the law enforcement agencies that were involved.
in Tallahassee
Readers Respond To Arrest In Seminole Heights Murders
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
For nearly two months, four seemingly unrelated mur- ders have taken place in the Seminole Heights area of Tampa.
On Tuesday afternoon, 24- year-old Howell Donald- son, III, was arrested and charged with all four murders. Some Sentinel readers re- sponded to the question: “Do you think police arrested the right person and why?”
Bonnye Crews said, “Yes, I believe police arrested the right man --- the gun re- portedly matches and he walks just like the suspect in the surveillance video.”
Danny Green said, “I pray and hope they got the right guy. The police say they have the weapon, cell phone records, and clothing. I hope they didn't rush to judgment. I pray for the families. Now, the community can be at ease.”
Howard Harris said, “Too many Black men have been convicted and later exon- erated of rape, murder, and other dastardly deeds for us to conclude that the arrest of Howell Donaldson, III, is an open and shut case. According to national public radio, African Americans
make up 13% of the popula- tion, but constitute 47% of those falsely accused, con- victed, and exonerated of murder.
“Under our justice system, Mr. Donaldson is innocent until proven guilty and then he might still be innocent be- cause of Tampa's demand for the police to solve the Semi- nole murders.
“Let us take a wait and see approach. Hopefully, a just system will determine the in- nocence or guilt of Mr. Don- aldson.”
Jesse Patty said, “Yes from all of the information, that has been given, I feel they have the right person. This is a sad situation for the victims families and his.”
Rev. Karen Jackson Sims said, “The evidence seems to indicate that Mr. Donaldson is in fact the per- son that has committed the Seminole Heights murders. If this is the case, it is troubling that a young man who appears to have been on a positive life path would turn to such heinous acts and appear to not be troubled by it. Our com- munity has lost five souls from this evil. Let us lose no more.”
Ross Anderson said, “Based on what the media has reported the answer is yes, but there are so many unex-
plained things that the media didn't report. If he is truly the right person, then as a com- munity we really need to focus on mental health and mental health issues.”
Dr. Samuel Wright, Sr., said, “I hope so! Not re- ally sure; however, TPD said that the clothes they found in the red mustang were similar to those of the serial killer. We are praying that God will take care of this matter!”
Rev. Willie Dixon said, “I will assume if the lab checked and confirmed the weapon given to the manager at Mc- Donald’s was the same gun that was used to murder all four people is the same weapon, facts will support the police have arrested the right person.
“Also, it is alleged the same type of clothing viewed from the videos were found in the vehicle of the man arrested will further support the police arrested the right man.”
“Then on the other hand, is the mental state of the man ar- rested, the same man that murdered four innocent peo- ple? Also, why would a man who avoided being arrested for over 50 days give his mur- der weapon to a person to hold? With that being said, ‘only God and the killer’ know if the right man was arrested.”
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