TAMPA, Fla. - Funeral services were held Saturday for Ronald Felton, the latest person killed in a string of murders in Seminole Heights.
Felton, 60, was shot and killed on Nov. 14 while crossing North Nebraska Avenue near New Season Apostolic Ministries, where he often showed up at 2:30 a.m. to volunteer at the food bank.
Senior Pastor Glenn Dames, of Allen Temple A-M-E Church, offered words of hope to Felton's friends and family Saturday afternoon.
“I want you to know you ought to fear no man because if God is with you, he will take care of you,” says Pastor Dames.
He spoke on Felton’s passion for helping others saying he was a “Superman of service.”
“I want you to know brother Felton trusted God. That's why he would wake up at 4 o'clock in the morning to make his way to the kitchen to set up for those who needed a meal because he trusted God and he knew God wasn't going to let him down,” he says. “Even though the enemy thought he was taking him down, he didn't know brother Felton had another home.”
As Felton's casket was being taken away, his mother and twin brother were clearly distraught.
Felton's older sister Linda Cunningham warned the people of Tampa to take precautions, because the killer could be anywhere.
“Be prepared. Two weeks ago, I stopped walking because I walked by myself and I thought about the serial killer, but now, look what happened to my brother,” says Cunningham. “I know he will be caught. Either man is going to catch him or God is going to take care of him.”
She also spoke on the hurt his killer has caused her family, and told him to turn himself in.
In a time of darkness, the community of Seminole Heights has banded together.
Lajuanda Barrera, owner of Moates Flower shop, donated the flower arrangements for Felton's funeral.
“Everyone is really there for each other. That's the beauty of these lives lost, that we're coming together strong,” says Barrera.
She, too, still hurting. Feldon was murdered just two buildings away from her store.
Many like Dorothy Ellison, say they needed to get closure and say their final goodbyes.
“I still can't believe it but I saw him. So, I know it was him laying there,” says Ellison.
Community outreach, patrols and a reward
Seminole Heights has seen increased police activity since the Oct. 9 shooting death of 22-year-old Benjamin Edward Mitchell. He was killed at a bus stop along N. 15th Street and East Frierson Avenue.
No more than a week later, police announced they found the body of 32-year-old Monica Caridad Hoffa near the intersection of East New Orleans Avenue and North 10th Street.
A third victim, 20-year-old Anthony Naiboa, was killed on Oct. 19. Tampa police said he took the wrong bus home when he was shot to death.
Surveillance video from on the night of the first murder shows a hooded person of interest walking down the street and checking their phone before stepping out of frame. Later, they're seen running.
Investigators later identified that same person as a suspect.
"I've come up with four reasons why this person is running," Dugan said last month. "One, they may be late for dinner. Two, they're out exercising. Three, they heard gunshots. And number four, they just murdered Benjamin Mitchell."
Currently there is a $110,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for the killings.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10 News app now.
Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
