TAMPA, Fla. — Governor Rick Scott made an unannounced stop in Tampa meeting with the mayor, chief of police and the family of one of the victim’s.
“I’m loving that the governor is giving them so many resources to work with,” Robert Hoffa, Monica Hoffa’s uncle said. "We just want to catch this killer and bring him to justice and make him answer for all the things that he did.”
Hoffa said Scott’s words of encouragement were deeply personal, giving him comfort.
“Everyday I live it every day and it doesn’t get any better,” Hoffa said. “Knowing the whole state is behind catching this guy, that’s really powerful, really powerful for us.”
ABC Action News reporter Michael Paluska and photojournalist Reed Moeller rode along with Florida Highway Patrol in Seminole Heights. There are 20 troopers answering Scott’s call to help assist Tampa Police in their search for a killer.
Trooper Kyle Patterson said he is normally based out of Jacksonville. Patterson spent six years with the Navy, graduating from the Academy in Sept. He said the governor asked for help so he left his wife in Jacksonville, sacrificing his Thanksgiving to help others.
“She was pretty accepting of it,” Patterson said. “If it means catching this guy that’s what we have to do.”
Patterson said he is focused on keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity and responding to any calls for service to lock down an area, in the event, there is another murder.
Tampa police responded to Ronald Felton’s shooting in just minutes. But, the killer was still able to escape their perimeter.
Patterson said no one in law enforcement will give up the hunt for the killer.
“Just keep our heads on swivels,” Patterson said. “Try to make it home at the end of the day.”
