Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan announced late Tuesday evening that 24-year-old Howell Donaldson III has been charged with four counts of murder in the Seminole Heights killings.

Tampa Mayor @BobBuckhorn and TPD Chief Brian Dugan hold presser in #SeminoleHeightsKillings @tb_times https://t.co/BDjzhhuppA

— Howard Altman (@haltman) November 29, 2017

Earlier in the day, Tampa police detained Donaldson after he brought a loaded 9mm handgun to the Ybor City McDonald's where he worked and left it there while he visited a nearby Amscot. Officers were waiting for him when he returned. In a late afternoon press conference, Dugan had said he was "optimistic" that the gun was connected to the Seminole Heights murders of Benjamin Mitchell, Monica Hoffa, Anthony Naiboa, and Ronald Felton.

"I can't thank the person who called us about the gun in the bag enough for standing up and doing the right thing." ~Chief Dugan re: #SeminoleHeights murder arrest pic.twitter.com/RSoK4KlPGz

— TampaPD (@TampaPD) November 29, 2017

Casimir Naiboa, father of #SeminoleHeights murder victim Anthony Naiboa expressed his gratitude for the community and law enforcement to help solve his son's murder. pic.twitter.com/DoefrGrzU5

— TampaPD (@TampaPD) November 29, 2017

An emotional Kenny Hoffa embraced Major Rocky Ratliff after press briefing on update in #SeminoleHeights murder arrest. His daughter Monica was one of four victims slain in the neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/FVnIPqdKox

— TampaPD (@TampaPD) November 29, 2017

Richard Gonzmart personally hands over $9,000 to McDonald's employee who tipped @tampapd off to gun & Howell Donaldson III. It's money he'd pledged to reward fund established by @crimestopperstb. pic.twitter.com/AfA236Er4U

— Meredyth Censullo (@WFLAmeredyth) November 29, 2017

The suspect graduated from St. John's University in New York in January, and walked-on to the basketball team in 2011-12.

Former St. John’s walk-on arrested in Tampa serial killings https://t.co/4uTYTm2xAp

— CollegeBasketbllTalk (@CBTonNBC) November 29, 2017

More on this story as it develops