Over the past few weeks, there have been three murders within Seminole Heights of Tampa, Florida.
The first murder happened on Oct. 9th.
Benjamin Mitchell, a 22-year-old college student, was the first victim. He was shot while waiting for the bus in his neighborhood.
The second body was found four days later. Monica Hoff, 32, was found in a vacant lot. However, she was shot two days prior to her being found.
The third victim was also shot at a bus stop, about a block away from Mitchell. Anthony Naiboa was the youngest victim, only being 20.
Three murders in less than two weeks have the police reeling and residents of Seminole Heights on edge.
There has been no obvious connection between the victims, although police do believe they are linked. They have asked for the residents’ help throughout the investigation.
Last Monday, police chief Brian Dugan spoke at a local elementary school where hundreds of people gathered to hear about the investigation. “Everybody at this point is a suspect,” Chief Dugan said. “If you are out there walking alone, you are either a suspect or a potential victim.”
Chief Dugan also reiterated that there has been very little progress with the investigation and that everyone should report anything suspicious.
The motive for the killings is unknown, as the victims weren’t robbed. All died of a gunshot wound. Despite this, police have not yet declared this the work of a serial killer as they know too little to declare so.
However, Bryanna Fox, a former special agent for the F.B.I., claims that there is “very clear evidence that it’s a serial killer, according to the F.B.I.’s definition,” on a phone interview last Tuesday. She currently works at the University of South Florida as an assistant professor of criminology.
Police have released a video of a suspicious man walking the streets on Oct. 9. If you have an information of this, please contact authorities immediately.
As for safety, everyone is asked to not wander the streets alone at night. Despite the murders only having been in Seminole Heights, residents in all of Tampa should be vigilant. Walk in pairs and stay on high alert.