Former St. John's basketball player Howell "Trai" Donaldson was arrested and charged with four counts of first-degree murder Tuesday.
The 24-year-old's apprehension ends a six-week manhunt, during which authorities received an estimated 5,000 tips, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Undercover cops continue to patrol the Seminole Heights neighborhood, including school bus stops. Chief Brian Dugan warned citizens not to walk alone Tuesday.
Donaldson allegedly handed a manager at the McDonald's where he'd been working the past two months a loaded semiautomatic pistol and asked her to hold it while he walked to a nearby Amscot to get a payday loan. She alerted law enforcement, and he was arrested upon his return to the restaurant.
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"It's the way things are progressing. Things are starting to fall in place," Dugan said when asked why he's hopeful they might've finally found the culprit who has struck fear into so many for so long. "(But) we've had that before and, unfortunately, it's led to nothing. I'm guarded because I've been down this road before. It's Day 51 that we've been doing this."
He added: "It's been a longtime for the families and for the cops. So, I'm guarded on the whole thing but I'm very optimistic."
Donaldson was born in Charlotte, N.C., and attended Alonso High School in Tampa. He was a walk-on for the Red Storm during the 2011-12 season, but never played in a game, a St. John's spokesperson told NBC Sports. He graduated from the New York City school in January with a degree in sports business management, WFTS, a Tampa ABC affiliate, reports.
The victims include three men, 22-year-old Benjamin Mitchell, 20-year-old Anthony Naiboa and 60-year-old Ronald Felton, and one woman, 32-year-old Monica Hoffa. Police declined to say whether the weapon was linked to the one used in the murders but added it was purchased legally. None of the victims are linked in any way, and authorities are still working to ascertain a motive.
Donaldson's arrest is his first brush with the law.