Seminole Heights Tipster Will Get Full $110,000 Of Reward Money

TAMPA, FL - The McDonald's manager who helped in the arrest of the accused Seminole Heights serial killer will be getting the full amount of the $110,00 reward, Police Chief Brian Dugan announced Friday. The money came from different agencies and organizations with different requirements, but those issues have been waived so she can get the money sooner than expected.

"She will eventually get all the money," Dugan said at a press conference Friday. Delonda Walker, the McDonald's manager, has already received $5,000 from the Crime Stoppers program and $9,000 from Tampa businessman Richard Gonzmart who had pledged to contribute to the reward fund. Crime Stoppers announced Thursday that although the reward did not meet the criteria to be paid through a grant, it was awarding the money to Walker anyway.

Howell Emanuel "Trai" Donaldson III, a McDonald's employee, was arrested Tuesday for the four Seminole Heights shooting deaths. He worked at a restaurant in Ybor City and on Tuesday he asked Walker to hold a fast-food bag for him while he got a payday loan from a nearby Amscot. Walker looked in the bag and discovered a handgun. She alerted a Tampa police officer doing paperwork in the restaurant. A few hours later, after questioning at police headquarters, Donaldson was arrested for the murders. He faces four charges of first-degree murder.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn praised Walker at the press conference for making the right choices, adding "we would not be here today if not for the courage of one individual."

"Today we are a safer community because she did the right thing," Buckhorn said.

Buckhorn also read a statement from Walker:

"I went to work on Tuesday intending to serve customers and do my job. The day turned out very differently. When confronted with this situation, I wanted to do the right thing and I reached out to a nearby police officer. Receiving a reward never entered my mind. Looking back, I am grateful to know I was helpful in assisting law enforcement. I hope you can understand, that out of respect for the continuing investigation as well as the victims and their families, I will not be answering questions. But, please know I appreciate all the well wishes and kind words from our community."

Two of the victims' families have met with Walker at the McDonald's restaurant, praising her for helping catch the suspect.

Crime Stoppers requires the reward recipient to have contacted the organization directly via its anonymous tip line, website or mobile application. That information must directly lead to the identification and arrest of the suspect. Walker had contacted the police officer in the restaurant about the handgun. Crime Stoppers said its board decided the reward money would be paid with monies donated to the Crime Stoppers program for firearms-related crimes.

Donaldson is accused of gunning down Ronald Felton, an unemployed construction worker who was on his way to volunteer at a food bank; Benjamin Mitchell, 22, who was waiting at the Route 9 bus stop on 15th Street on his way to see his girlfriend; Monica Hoffa, 32, a waitress at a local IHOP; and Anthony Naiboa, a 20-year-old Middleton High School graduate who was in the neighborhood after mistakenly getting on the wrong bus after work.

Some of the awards ($30,000) required conviction of the suspect, but that stipulation has been waived. The remaining rewards and their requirements are:

David A. Straz Jr. Foundation offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the unknown suspect(s) involved in the homicide cases.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the unknown suspect(s) involved in the homicide cases.

Rise Tampa offered a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest of the unknown suspect(s) involved in the homicide cases.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) offered a reward of up to$10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the unknown suspect(s) involved in the homicide cases.

The FBI offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest of the unknown suspect(s) involved in the homicide cases.

Other money was raised by individuals and Seminole Heights organizations.

Police chief: McDonald's worker to receive 'every penny' of $110,000 reward https://t.co/N9JyYYANLC @TB_Times pic.twitter.com/I3vQ93M9am

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