Tampa police say they believe a deadly shooting in Seminole Heights on Tuesday is likely related to three recent killings in the Tampa neighborhood.
Police responded to a report about shots fired just before 5 a.m. on Tuesday in the area of N. Nebraska Avenue and E. McBerry Street. When they arrived on scene, they found a deceased adult male in the street.
Police identified the victim as 60-year-old Ronald Felton. Witnesses tell police that Felton was crossing the street to meet someone when the suspect came up behind him and shot him.
TPD is looking for a suspect described as a black male with a light complexion. They believe he is approximately 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches, with a thin build. He was last seen wearing all black with a baseball cap on, and was armed with a large black pistol.
Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan believes that the suspect is a resident of the Seminole Heights neighborhood.
"We will hunt this person down until we find them," Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said during a press conference Tuesday morning.
There is a massive police presence on the scene. Forensic evidence is being collected. Police are asking residents to avoid the area of Nebraska Avenue between Osborne Avenue and Hillsborough Avenue as they investigate.
This comes nearly a month after a killer shot and killed three people over the span of 10 days in Seminole Heights. Police say that they are treating the suspicious death as related to the Seminole Heights Killer until they know differently.
They are asking residents in the area to stay indoors.
HART says that all Route 9 bus stops on 15th Street from MLK Boulevard to Hillsborough Avenue are temporarily closed due to police activity.
Schools in Seminole Heights will be open on Tuesday, according to the school district. Students who live in the Tampa Police perimeter of Hillsborough Avenue, Nebraska Avenue, Chelsea Street and 15th Street should not leave their homes.
"Do not go to bus stops or leave to walk or drive to school until police secure the area," the school district
Schools in Seminole Heights are open Monday. Students who live inside the perimeter of Hillsborough and Nebraska avenues and Chelsea and 15th streets should stay in your homes. Do not go to bus stops or leave to walk or drive to school until police secure the area.
Parents and staff can get to Edison Elementary from the area of 22nd Street and Osborne Avenue. Some bus routes to Hillsborough High School and other schools in the area may be disrupted by the Tampa Police investigation.
The shooting was about four blocks away from where Monica Hoffa was shot and killed on October 11.
Dugan is asking residents who own guns to go in their homes and verify that their guns are still there, insinuating that the suspect may have stolen any weapons used in the killings. If it is missing, it should be reported immediately.
Since the October homicides, officers have gone door-to-door, making sure they don't miss any information or clues that could lead to the arrest of the shooter. Tampa police have received hundreds of tips, but have fallen short on solid leads.
Anyone who may have any information, should call the Tampa Police at 813.231.6130.
