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Food pantry, community honor legacy of fourth victim killed in Seminole Heights

Ronald Felton volunteered at church for 10+ years
Posted at 9:19 PM, Nov 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-11-20 02:44:03-05

TAMPA, Fla. -- A community is refusing to let a name be forgotten. Tampa Police believe, Ronald Felton, is the fourth victim of the Seminole Heights Killer. This weekend, one church is honoring Felton all by asking people to donate food.

This is Seminole Heights. The proof is in the unending stream of people showing up because of one man.

"Ronnie was the first one in and the last one out," said Isaiah Osborne, Minister of New Season Apostolic Ministries on North Nebraska Avenue. "He may not have had everything in the world but he gave what he had, he gave his time and he gave his talent to assist those who didn't have."
 
The 60-year-old Felton was more than a victim. Those who knew him remember the 10 years he dedicated to feeding the homeless at the church's food pantry.

"If it can happen to him it can happen to anyone. Someone coming to do good and his life was taken," said Osborne.
 
Felton's life was taken while he was on his way to church. As a killer goes unpunished, Tampa Mayor, Bob Buckhorn expresses his own frustrations.

Just stop. I mean you've ruined four families," said Buckhorn, "Why are you doing this? We're going to catch you. We're coming for you."

It's a message echoed by others in the community.

"We trust in God and we know that in due time it's going to come up. He's going to get caught," said Osborne.

Despite the unimaginable violence, this is Seminole Heights and it's not backing down.

"These days I'm having to be defiant against bad a lot of the time," said Ruth Jones while dropping off canned goods. "I resist violence, I resist prejudice."

It's not too late to drop off donations. You can bring canned goods on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Monetary donations can be sent to P.O. Box 310427; Tampa, Florida 33680.