Mitch Perry
Interim Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan admits that, at least publicly, his department doesn’t have much of a clue who shot and killed three people within a mile and a half of each other in Southeast Seminole Heights over the past two weeks.
“We don’t know who this person is. That’s the reality,” the chief told an overflow crowd of concerned citizens jammed into the Edison Elementary School auditorium Monday night.
The first victim, 22-year-old Benjamin Mitchell, was shot and killed October 9 only a few hundred feet from where the third victim, 20-year-old Anthony Naiboa died last Thursday. A second victim, Monica Caridad Hoffa, was killed October 11, shot less than half a mile from the other two murders.
Dugan chilled the audience when he said “everyone is a suspect” and there was a “very good likelihood that someone in this room knows” the killer.
“Somebody knows something, but they don’t realize it.”
But the Chief wasn’t implicating anyone. Instead, he was saying they actually might have seen something that they didn’t think was relevant, but very well could be significant as investigators attempt to find the person (or persons) who killed these young people in a relatively small section of Tampa.
“This pains me to tell you that if you’re out there walking alone, you’re either a suspect or a potential victim,” Dugan added.
Everyone in the neighborhood needs to pay attention to anything that seems out of the ordinary, Dugan stressed. Commenting on modern society, he decried how people like to shut themselves off from their community, turn on Netflix or stare into smartphones.
Preferably, he wants citizens to be more social and keep their porch lights on at night.
“Your instinct is to stay inside. I’m asking you to do the opposite.”
In reaction to the killings, the TPD increased its presence in the neighborhoods, particularly in mornings and evenings.
Also, Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $25,000 to anyone who can help authorities find the killer.
Stan Lasater, the outgoing president of the Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association, hopes the group will increase that reward to inspire more people to focus on who might be a suspect.
“This is personal, and they’re not going to stop until they catch this guy,” Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said about the TPD, as more than a dozen uniformed officers were in attendance at the Edison Elementary meeting.
Buckhorn said this issue was between the community and the forces of evil and darkness, vowing that “goodness,” not evil, will come out on top. TPD will “will hunt this son of a bitch down,” the mayor promised.
On Monday, Code Enforcement officers checked vacant homes and other potential hiding spots for the killer, while city crews worked to clear vacant lots and alleys, also to reduce possible hiding places.
In the hunt, TPD is not working in a silo. Assisting local law enforcement are officials with the U.S. Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI and even the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Dugan said he had been continuously asked if there’s a serial killer loose in Southeast Seminole Heights.
He is purposely avoiding answering that question.
“Let’s not label and stereotypes box out our vision, and we miss what’s right in front of us,” Dugan said, adding that he has never stated a single person was responsible for the killings.
TPD released one video, but Dugan pointed out that it was just of a person of interest; the Department has no idea who that person is, and he could be completely innocent.
After speaking for 20 minutes, the chief and mayor fielded questions from the crowd for about a half-hour.
One man asked that, with Halloween just eight days away, should there be any trick or treaters out and about next week.
That night, there will be a substantial TPD presence, Dugan said, and he will personally patrol the neighborhood.
“Everyone in the police department will be out there.”
