Almost a month after 20-year-old Anthony Naiboa became the third victim of a deadly, apparently random shooting in the southeastern part of the Seminole Heights, yet another person has been shot and killed, and police believe this one is connected to the last three.
Ronald Felton, 60, was shot and killed while crossing the street just before 5 a.m. Police found him along Nebraska Avenue between East Wilder Avenue and East Caracas Streets,
His death had similarities to those of the three residents who died in October, Benjamin Mitchell (found Oct. 22), Monica Hoffa (found Oct. 13) and Naiboa (Oct. 19). Police believe the same person perpetrated all four killings.
The circumstances of their deaths are somewhat similar. All four victims were alone when they were shot, and all four shootings took place while it was dark out. The shootings took place within several blocks of one another.
The latest killing took place despite Tampa Police Department's blanketing of the area in efforts to prevent further violence and gather evidence as to who the killer is and why he or she may be shooting people randomly. Thus far, police have offered few details about a suspect or motive, aside from grainy surveillance video footage of a "person of interest" walking to, then running from, the area where Mitchell was shot.
On Tuesday, though, they released a description of the suspect, whom they say is "a black male, 6'-6'2", thin build, light complexion, armed with a large black pistol last seen wearing all black clothing."
According to a TPD media release, police have set up a perimeter in the immediate area, and are asking residents within it to stay in their homes while police conduct their investigation.
