The reward money for information that helps solve the Seminole Heights homicides has now increased to $100,000. Tampa Police officials say it has been enhanced with money from with law enforcement partners, community groups, as well as private citizens.
The total stood at $91,000 on Wednesday and, on Thursday, Columbia Restaurant and Ulele owner Richard Gonzmart pledged $9,000, bringing the total to $100,000.
"The support from the community and our law enforcement partners has been inspiring,'' Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said in a statement. "I can't thank them enough for stepping up. The reward money is truly impressive, and that's only one of the many ways that people are showing their support."
Added Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn: "Finding this killer is a community effort and Richard Gonzmart and the Columbia Restaurant Group have always been fantastic community partners who lead by example. We need to and will find who's committing these heinous, senseless murders and when we do, it will be because of people like Richard, the Seminole Heights community, Tampa Police Department and our partners in the law enforcement community who have poured their blood, sweat and tears into bringing this killer to justice."
Here's some more information from Tampa Police:
Here's how the reward money adds up. Law enforcement partners have contributed $85,000. That includes funds from ATF, Crime Stoppers, FDLE, and the FBI. In addition, the community has raised more than $6,000, including funds from a fundraiser held at the Brew Bus, a donation from the Southeast Seminole Heights Civic Association, a donation from Liberty Property Management, and Richard Gonzmart and the Columbia Restaurant Group.
Anyone with any information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873 (TIPS).
The $100,000 figure will be reflected on digital billboards donated by both Clear Channel and Outfront Media Billboards. The billboard locations are as follows:
Clear Channel Billboards Pinellas #150 - Interstate 275 SS 40ft east of 22nd Street S facing west Hillsborough #609 - State Road 580 SS .4 mi west of Memorial Highway facing east Hillsborough #399 - Fowler Ave SS 400ft west of 39th Street facing west State Road 580, .4 miles west of Memorial Highway Brandon Blvd., .3 miles west of Kings Ave. Adamo Dr., .4 miles west of Adamo Dr. Veterans Expressway, 1.8 miles north of Courtney Campbell
Outfront Media Billboards I-275 .25 mi E/O Westshore Blvd N/S F/E I-275 .50 mi S/O Busch Blvd E/S F/S I-4 .40 mi W/O 40Th St Exit N/S F/E Bearss Av & Nebraska Av S/S F/W I-4 850 ft E/O MLK Blvd S/S F/SW I-275 700 ft S/O Waters Ave W/S F/N Fowler Ave 1400 ft E/O Nebraska Ave S/S F/W I-275 750 ft E/O Dale Mabry Hwy S/S F/W Dale Mabry Hwy .50 mi N/O Hillsborough Ave WS F/N Dale Mabry Hwy .50 mi N/O Hillsborough Ave WS F/S Dale Mabry Hwy .5 mi N/O Busch Blvd W/S F/N Dale Mabry Hwy .5 mi N/O Busch Blvd W/S F/S
