Who Is Howell Donaldson? 24-Year-Old Charged In Seminole Heights Serial Killing

Florida police arrested a possible serial killer Tuesday afternoon who they believe murdered four people in the span of seven weeks in the neighborhood of Seminole Heights, in central Tampa, Florida.

The suspect, identified as Howell (Trai) Donaldson III, was arrested after police caught a break Tuesday afternoon. According to Tampa Bay Times, authorities were able to capture Donaldson after he bizarrely handed over a gun to the manager of McDonald’s.

The report states that Donaldson may have worked at the McDonald’s but there is no confirmation yet.

Gail Rogers, an employee of the fast-food chain said Donaldson showed up at the restaurant in a red Mustang. He also said that Donaldson asked the manager to hold on to his 9mm loaded handgun while he walked to Amscot Financial Inc. to get a payday loan. She revealed how the manager was confused about what to do with the gun so based on Rogers suggestion, he alerted a female officer about the situation who was present at the restaurant at the time. As soon as Donaldson reached the restaurant again, he was arrested by the cops and taken in for questioning.

The killings which began on Oct. 9 took four lives including those of Benjamin Mitchell, 22, Monica Hoffa, 32, Anthony Naiboa, 20, and Ronald Felton, 60. Felton was the last victim and was killed on Nov. 14.

Authorities finally confirmed Tuesday night that they have made an arrest in relation to the killings of four people.

According to his social media accounts, Donaldson played basketball for St. John’s University in New York after completing his graduation from Tampa in 2011. According to a tweet posted by a news editor named Tom Cleary, Donaldson also worked for an American professional baseball team, The New York Mets and National Basketball Association (NBA).

Check out the tweet here.

Brian Dugan, Tampa Police Chief confirmed that 24-year-old Donaldson has been arrested and charged with four counts of murder. “I am pleased to announce that tonight we will be making an arrest in the Seminole Heights murder," Dugan said.

However, Dugan did not confirm whether or not Donaldson made any confessions or statements to the police. "Unfortunately I will not have the answers that you want. This is an ongoing situation," he said. The police chief also said that Donaldson’s motive or his ties to the neighborhood have not been established yet.

Nevertheless, Mayor Bob Buckhorn expressed great relief at the fact that the manhunt for the killer was finally over. On his Twitter account, Buckhorn said that after 51 days it is time for Seminole Heights to have good night’s rest.

"The real goal is to let the people of Seminole Heights be able to get a good night's sleep. It's been 51 days that they've been terrorized in their neighborhood and it is about letting these families know that we're going to bring this person to justice and letting this neighborhood get some rest,” he said late Tuesday.

Buckhorn also recognized the law enforcement for making an arrest in the case.