Seminole Heights Shootings: Reward Rises to $100,000

TAMPA, FL - Reward money for information that helps solve the four Seminole Heights shooting homicides has now increased to $100,000, with law enforcement partners, community groups, and private citizens contributing. The total stood at $91,000 on Wednesday until restaurateur Richard Gonzmart pledged $9,000 to bring the total to $100,000.

"The support from the community and our law enforcement partners has been inspiring,'' said Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan. "I can't thank them enough for stepping up. The reward money is truly impressive, and that's only one of the many ways that people are showing their support."

The former "person of interest" in the Seminole Heights shootings is now considered a suspect, Dugan said Wednesday. At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, the police chief showed a video taken moments before Tuesday'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.

Dugan said police don't believe it is a coincidence that the same person was in the area of Tuesday morning's shooting and the Oct. 9 shooting.

On Tuesday, 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.

"Finding this killer is a community effort and Richard Gonzmart and the Columbia Restaurant Group have always been fantastic community partners who lead by example," said Mayor Bob Buckhorn. "We need to and will find who's committing these heinous, senseless murders and when we do, it will be because of people like Richard, the Seminole Heights community, Tampa Police Department and our partners in the law enforcement community who have poured their blood, sweat and tears into bringing this killer to justice."

Here's how the reward money adds up. Law enforcement partners have contributed $85,000. That includes funds from ATF, Crime Stoppers, FDLE, and the FBI. In addition, the community has raised more than $6,000, including funds from a fundraiser held at the Brew Bus, a donation from the Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association, a donation from Liberty Property Management, and Richard Gonzmart and the Columbia Restaurant Group.Anyone with any information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873 (TIPS). The $100,000 figure will be reflected on digital billboards donated by both Clear Channel and Outfront Media Billboards.

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 three 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.

Watch: Police: Man In Video Is Suspected Serial Killer

Images via Tampa Police Department