TAMPA, Fla. — UPDATE Nov. 28, 2017 11:15 p.m.: Tampa police have made an arrest in connection with the shooting deaths of four people in the Seminole Heights neighborhood over the past seven weeks.
UPDATE: Police arrest 24-year-old man in series of four murders that paralyzed Tampa neighborhood. _________ BREAKING: Tampa police chief and mayor updating progress in serial killer investigation after four murders: http://on.wpxi.com/2k6MMp0
Posted by WPXI-TV Pittsburgh on Tuesday, November 28, 2017
The suspect has been identified as Howell Donaldson III, according to a social media post from Tampa police.
Donaldson is facing charges in connection with the case, police officials said on Twitter.
BREAKING NEWS: Chief Dugan announced that Howell Donaldson III will face charges in connection with 4 murders in the Seminole Heights neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/MuqAWLRyN9
Tampa, Florida's police chief said Tuesday he's 'optimistic' that a man found with a gun at a fast food restaurant could be connected to a string of killings in the Seminole Heights area over the past seven weeks.
A gunman has killed four people since Oct. 9 in what appear to be random shootings.
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Investigators received a tip Tuesday about a man with a gun at a McDonald's in Tampa's historic Ybor City neighborhood. The man is being questioned, but he's not in custody or under arrest, police said.
TPD chief Dugan optimistic man picked up at McDonalds in Ybor City connected to #SeminoleHeights killing. Police have a gun. No arrests yet. @TB_Times pic.twitter.com/LY5x4CBPXW
— Howard Altman (@haltman) November 28, 2017
“I’m optimistic about this one, but only time will tell,” Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said. “We have to be very careful what we release because this person might be completely innocent.”
TAMPA POLICE INVESTIGATING TIP
— TampaPD (@TampaPD) November 28, 2017
Tampa Police are currently investigating a tip that has led detectives McDonald's on 13th Ave in Ybor City. At this time detectives have not concluded whether it is related to recent homicides in the Southeast Seminole Heights area.
The shootings in Seminole Heights occurred within close proximity of each other, are not robberies and could be the work of a serial killer.
Authorities have received 5,000 tips that could lead to the killer, but, so far, no arrests have been made, police said.
Investigators said they plan to be in the Seminole Heights neighborhood Tuesday night and urged people to remain cautious and stay in pairs.
Heavy police presence at McDonalds in #ybor city. @TampaPD won't confirm what they're investigating but say they'll be here for quite some time. We saw one person in custody. Live reports on @10NewsWTSP #SeeitOn10 pic.twitter.com/FIkW9IzjOr
— Sarah Rosario (@sarahbrosario) November 28, 2017
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