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Possible serial killer 'terrorising' Florida neighbourhood | Possible serial killer 'terrorising' Florida neighbourhood |
(35 minutes later) | |
Florida police have said they are searching for a possible serial killer believed to have fatally shot three people over the last two weeks. | Florida police have said they are searching for a possible serial killer believed to have fatally shot three people over the last two weeks. |
Officials believe the murders, which happened blocks apart, were committed by the same gunman who may have chosen the victims at random, police say. | Officials believe the murders, which happened blocks apart, were committed by the same gunman who may have chosen the victims at random, police say. |
The latest victim was an autistic man who was shot while walking home from work after getting on the wrong bus. | The latest victim was an autistic man who was shot while walking home from work after getting on the wrong bus. |
Local residents have been advised not to walk alone after dark. | Local residents have been advised not to walk alone after dark. |
"Now we have someone terrorising the neighbourhood," said interim Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, who added that there is "no doubt" that the crimes are linked. | "Now we have someone terrorising the neighbourhood," said interim Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan, who added that there is "no doubt" that the crimes are linked. |
Anthony Naiboa, 20, was found gunned down on 19 October in the central Tampa neighbourhood of Seminole Heights. | Anthony Naiboa, 20, was found gunned down on 19 October in the central Tampa neighbourhood of Seminole Heights. |
The autistic charity worker was shot to death around 20:00 local time (00:00 GMT), less than a mile away from where two others were shot and killed. | |
Officers heard the gunshots that killed Mr Naiboa, but the suspect had fled before they arrived on scene, according to Chief Dugan. | Officers heard the gunshots that killed Mr Naiboa, but the suspect had fled before they arrived on scene, according to Chief Dugan. |
"You can imagine the frustration of these officers to hear gunshots and not be able to find this person," Chief Dugan said. | "You can imagine the frustration of these officers to hear gunshots and not be able to find this person," Chief Dugan said. |
Benjamin Mitchell, 22, was alone at a bus stop after dark when he was shot dead on 9 October. | Benjamin Mitchell, 22, was alone at a bus stop after dark when he was shot dead on 9 October. |
Monica Caridad Hoffa, 32, was walking to meet a friend when she was fatally shot. She was found in a vacant lot on 13 October. | Monica Caridad Hoffa, 32, was walking to meet a friend when she was fatally shot. She was found in a vacant lot on 13 October. |
Police say the killings could be connected based on the proximity of the murders and time frame, but Mr Dugan said he was cautious about using the term serial killer. | |
The FBI are helping local police in the investigation and have released a photo of a possible suspect, but a motive is still unclear. | The FBI are helping local police in the investigation and have released a photo of a possible suspect, but a motive is still unclear. |
Local police are accompanying students to bus stops in the wake of the murders, department spokesman Steve Hegarty told the Tampa Bay Times newspaper on Monday. | Local police are accompanying students to bus stops in the wake of the murders, department spokesman Steve Hegarty told the Tampa Bay Times newspaper on Monday. |
Officers first began escorting residents during a vigil held after dark on Sunday. | Officers first began escorting residents during a vigil held after dark on Sunday. |
A crowd of more than 100 marched to the scenes of the murders and chanted: "Whose streets? Our streets." | A crowd of more than 100 marched to the scenes of the murders and chanted: "Whose streets? Our streets." |
The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay have offered a $25,000 reward (£19,000) for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murders. | The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay have offered a $25,000 reward (£19,000) for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murders. |
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