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Tampa police saturate SE Seminole Heights after dark in hunt for shooter

ABC Action News joins TPD officer for ride-along
Posted at 11:21 PM, Oct 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-21 17:43:30-04

Tampa police are patrolling every corner in Southeast Seminole Heights, with every available officer focused on catching the shooter. 

ABC Action News joined Officer Nathan Jamison, a 14-year veteran with TPD, for part of his patrol Friday night. 

RELATED: Southeast Seminole Heights banding together following murders

“We deal with violence every night, but this is different," Jamison said. "This is different." 

Jamison says he can't recall another area ever experiencing a string of such senseless killings. 

“Obviously has no regard at all for human life and doesn't care about what he’s doing out here.”

The Seminole Heights community is reeling from three homicides within 10 blocks in as many days. All victims, police say, were likely shot at random. 

"You got to be cautious, you got to be aware of your surroundings," Jamison said. "I wouldn't be venturing out by yourself.”

Police are frustrated, neighbors frightened. 

“Having good people live out here, they should be able to walk around at night and not worrying about some wack job," Jamison said. 

Family members of the latest victim, 20-year-old Anthony Naiboa, who has autism, say they are desperately asking for the public's help. 

RELATED: 20-year-old with autism murdered by Seminole Heights killer after taking wrong bus home

“As a community, if someone knows something step up," Naiboa's stepmom, Maria Rodriguez said. "Please step up, say something.”

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn joined police in patrolling the neighborhood Friday night. The mayor is expected to join Interim Chief Brian Dugan at a community meeting Monday night. 

Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay and the ATF are offering a $25,000 reward for information in the Seminole Heights homicides. 

RELATED: 

Tampa PD: Two recent homicides appear to be related, residents urged to be vigilant

Tampa PD continue searching for suspect in two recent homicides

Police urge people to light up their neighborhoods following murders in Southeast Seminole Heights