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TPD searching victim's phone for new clues in Seminole Heights murder

Newly-released video shows victim on HART bus
Posted at 11:37 PM, Mar 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-06 23:46:28-05

A Tampa family is pleading for anyone to come forward with information that could help police find the suspect who killed their loved one. 

Blanchie Williams remembers the last time she spoke to her son, Dontae Lampkins. 

It was a 90 second phone call that took place on January 24, shortly after he got off a HART bus near the intersection of Nebraska and Hillsborough Avenue in Seminole Heights. 

RELATED: Body of 25-year-old man found in alley in Seminole Heights area

"I feel like my son didn't deserve this," said Williams. "He was a sweet person, he was a kind person, he never did anything to hurt nobody."

According to Tampa Police, two days later, someone found his body in an alley between N. 9th Street and N. 11th Street. 

A search warrant, obtained by ABC Action News, shows police are now checking Lampkins' phone.  They believe he was using popular dating and social media apps, like Plenty of Fish and Kik, to meet up with someone before he was killed. 

Police released surveillance video Monday showing Lampkins getting on and exiting a HART bus the day they believe he was robbed and killed. 

"There's somebody out there that knows what happened, just won't step up," said Williams. 

Family members hope the video will generate new leads in the case and help police find whoever is responsible. 

"Think of it as your brother, your son, your uncle, anybody this could have happened to, you would want somebody to speak up for that family member," said Devada Carlton, Lampkins' sister. 

Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of the suspect in this case.  Anyone with any information is asked to call 1-800-873-TIPS (8477). 

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