Tampa Police Catch Tampa Serial Killer With The Help of McDonald’s Food Bag

On Tuesday, Tampa police arrested and charged the man responsible for the series of fatal shootings in the city’s Seminole Heights neighborhood. 24-year-old Howell Donaldson III was taken into custody and charged with four counts of murder after police found the gun that had been used in the four shootings.
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After a nearly two-month search for the suspect, a McDonald’s bag was the key piece of evidence that led officials to the alleged serial killer, officials said. That day, Donaldson arrived at the Tampa McDonald’s where he was employed and handed his co-worker a bag and revealed that he planned to leave the state. The co-worker, who has since been identified as “Witness 3” handed over the “Mcdonald’s food bag” to police and told them of Donaldson’s plan.
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To the officer’s surprise, inside the bag was the murder weapon used in the series of unsolved killings. Upon further investigation, officials found that Donaldson purchased the gun just six days before the first killing in October and bought the ammunition just four days later. Officials were then able to link Donaldson’s cell phone to the cell tower in the area, giving the police what they needed for an arrest and charges.
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The murders began on Oct 9, when 22-year-old Benjamin Mitchell was killed in the Seminole Heights area. Just four days later,  the body of 32-year-old Monica Hoffa was found. On Oct. 19, 20-year-old Anthony Naiboa was killed after taking the wrong bus home from work. Almost a month later, 60-year-old Robert Felton was shot from behind on Nov. 14.
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Although Donaldson has not admitted to the murders, he has confirmed that the gun was his. However, the motive remains unclear. In the meantime, the investigation is ongoing, although officials do not believe there are any other suspects. “You know, it’s been 51 days since the first murder, and it’s Day One of the healing process to help these families and this community put their lives back together,” Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said at a news conference.