Seminole Heights Shootings: Police Begin Patrols On Horseback

SEMINOLE HEIGHTS, FL - Tampa police are supplementing patrols in Seminole Heights with officers on horseback in a neighborhood that has been terrorized by a mysterious killer who police say has killed four people. Last week, Gov. Rick Scott announced that more state troopers would be assigned to the neighborhood to ensure the safety of Seminole Heights residents.

The deployment of FHP troopers is in addition to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's squad of agents assigned to neighborhood canvassing. FDLE also has agents assigned to vet leads and is providing analytical assistance. FDLE lab analysts continue to process numerous items of evidence. FDLE has also contributed $10,000 to the Crime Stoppers reward. The reward is now at $110,000.

On Nov. 14, Ronald Felton, an unemployed construction worker who was on his way to volunteer at a food bank, was gunned down on Nebraska Avenue about 5 a.m. Police arrived at the shooting scene within minutes, but the suspect escaped. Police say Felton's death is linked to three other killings in the neighborhood last month.

The former "person of interest" in the Seminole Heights shootings is now considered a suspect, Police Chief Brian Dugan said. Police have released a video taken moments before Felton's shooting and police believe that person is also shown in a video taken in the area where the first shooting occurred on Oct. 9 . Benjamin Mitchell was shot and died from his wounds. The new video can be viewed here.

The Seminole Heights neighborhood has been on edge since the three shooting deaths occurred last month in the span of 11 days. Police say they have no motive, but authorities consider the four shootings to be related.

The first victim, Mitchell, 22, was waiting at the Route 9 bus stop on 15th Street on his way to see his girlfriend when he was shot. The body of Monica Hoffa, 32, was found on Oct. 13. Anthony Naiboa, a 20-year-old Middleton High School graduate, was shot and killed on a sidewalk at N 15th and E. Conover streets on Oct. 19.

Hoffa, a waitress at a local IHOP, was walking to a friend's home when she was shot. Her body was found in a vacant lot. Naiboa had mistakenly taken the wrong bus to return home from work and was walking to a bus stop on 15th Street when he was shot about 8 p.m. on Oct. 19.

Anyone with any information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873 (TIPS).

Image via Tampa Police Department