A man was placed behind bars Tuesday evening, after police say he was responsible for a string of murders that recently terrorized a Tampa neighborhood.
Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan announced at a news conference that 24-year-old Howell Emanuel Donaldson would be charged with four counts of first degree murder.
Police detained Donaldson earlier Tuesday after a tip that he had a gun at a McDonald’s restaurant.
Donaldson allowed officers to search his vehicle and cell phone, according to a report by WSVN News. Using location data, his phone pinged a nearby cell phone tower at a time that corresponds with the first three Tampa murders.
On Oct. 9, 22-year-old Benjamin Mitchell was shot to death. Two days later, 32-year-old Monica Hoffa, was slain. And on Oct. 19, Anthony Naiboa, 20, was killed after taking the wrong bus home from his new job. On Nov. 14, 60-year-old Ronald Felton was killed.
All of the October victims were either getting on or off a city bus, or were at a bus stop when they were shot, police said.
Dugan said the department had received more than 5,000 tips. He thanked those who called in the tip that led to Donaldson’s arrest.
No further information was provided about Donaldson.