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.
The suspect has been identified as Howell Donaldson III, according to a social media post from Tampa police.
A gunman has killed four people since Oct. 9 in what appear to be random shootings.
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. <a href="https://t.co/MuqAWLRyN9">pic.twitter.com/MuqAWLRyN9</a>
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.
TRENDING NOW:
- Wedding interrupted after bride discovers she is allergic to cake
- What we know about 16-year-old shooting victim Jerame Turner
- FBI asking for help finding missing 3-year-old girl from North Carolina, subject of Amber Alert
- VIDEO: Skull-Face Tattooed Inmate Escapes Work Detail
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.
“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.”
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.