Police say arrest made in Tampa serial killer case after 4 murders

TAMPA, Fla. — UPDATE TUESDAY 11 PM (ET): Police announced a suspect was in custody who would be charged in connection with four recent murders in the Seminole Heights neighborhood.

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Tampa, Florida's police chief said Tuesday he's 'optimistic' that a man found with a gun at a fast food restaurant could be connected to a string of killings in the Seminole Heights area over the past seven weeks.

A gunman has killed four people since Oct. 9 in what appears to be random shootings.

Investigators received a tip Tuesday about a man with a gun at a McDonald's in Tampa's historic Ybor City neighborhood. The man is being questioned, but he's not in custody or under arrest, police said.

“I’m optimistic about this one, but only time will tell,” Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said. “We have to be very careful what we release because this person might be completely innocent.”

The shootings in Seminole Heights occurred within close proximity of each other, are not robberies and could be the work of a serial killer.

Authorities have received 5,000 tips that could lead to the killer, but, so far, no arrests have been made, police said.

Investigators said they plan to be in the Seminole Heights neighborhood Tuesday night and urged people to remain cautious and stay in pairs.

Cox Media Group