Suspected serial killer arrested in McDonald’s over Florida murders
Howell Donaldson III has been charged with gunning down four people in Tampa
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A suspected serial killer was arrested in Florida after one of his McDonalds co-workers found a loaded gun in one of his food bags.
Howell Donaldson III, 24,will be charged with four counts of first degree murder in relation to fatal shootings in the Seminole Heights region of Tampa, said the city's Police chief Brian Dugan.
The killings sparked fear in the area and police had instructed residents not to walk in the area alone at night.
Mr Donaldson III's arrest affadavit said one of his co-workers at the fast food restaurant had called them after he handed them a food bag with a loaded .40 caliber Glock firearm inside. He told his colleague he wanted to leave the state.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and ATF analyzed the fired cartridge casings in all four murder scenes, and identified the casings were fired from the same firearm: a Glock .40 caliber handgun, the affidavit added.
The killings began on 9 October, when 22-year-old Benjamin Mitchell was shot dead while waiting at a bus stop.
Monica Hoffa, 32, was killed two days later, though her body was not discovered until 13 October, in a car park near the site of the first killing.
Anthony Naiboa, 20, who was autistic, was killed in the same area on 19 October after taking the wrong bus home from his new job.
All three were killed while getting on or off a city bus, or while at a bus stop, police said.
Nearly a month later 60-year-old Ronald Felton was killed on 14 November as he walked to volunteer at a food bank in the area.
Mr Dugan said the department had received more than 5,000 tip-offs, and thanked those who called in the information that led to Donaldson's arrest.
Additional reporting by AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments