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Body found in Tampa neighborhood near recent string of shooting deaths, police say

TAMPA, Fla. — A man's body was found early Tuesday in the historic Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa, Florida, blocks away from where three people were recently slain, the Tampa Police Department said.

Police said the body was found shortly before 5 a.m. near North Nebraska Avenue and East McBerry Street.

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Investigators said Ronald Felton, 60, appears to have died from a gunshot wound. Investigators said he was walking across the street to a food bank at the church.

"We will hunt this person down until we find him," Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said during a news conference.

Investigators said they're looking for an African-American man with a light complexion. Investigators believe he's 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall, with a thin build. He was last seen wearing an all black with a baseball cap and was armed with a large black pistol.

The shooting death comes weeks after three people were fatally shot in 10 days within a 1-mile radius.

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Benjamin Mitchell, 22, was killed Oct. 9; Monica Hoffa, 32, was killed in a vacant lot Oct. 11; and Anthony Naiboa, 20, was shot and killed Oct. 19.

Police said they believe October's shootings are linked by proximity and time frame, but they don't have a motive or a suspect.

The three victims didn't know one another, but each person rode the bus and were alone when they were shot on the street. None was robbed.

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Until they can rule it out, police said they're investigating Tuesday's shooting death as one connected with the neighborhood's previous killings.

Nearby residents were asked to remain in their homes, and bus service was suspended in the area.

Residents have also been asked to make sure their guns are secure.

"If you own a gun and it's in your home, I want you to go to your home right now and find out if your gun is still there," Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said.

No other details were given.