Florida Governor Rick Scott made an impromptu stop in Seminole Heights Nov. 21 to thank first responders for their continued efforts in tracking a killer believed responsible for four recent shooting deaths in the neighborhood.

  • Gov. Scott shook hands with first responders at Seminole Heights Baptist Church
  • Scott recently assigned 20 FHP Troopers to assist in area patrol efforts
  • Governor also met with family of one of the victims

In a packed parking lot at the Seminole Heights Baptist Church in Tampa, the governor got to shake the hands of first responders from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tampa Police and The Florida Highway Patrol. He also met with Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan.

“The big thing is that I want to thank all these individuals of law enforcement for what they’re doing,” Governor Scott said. “I want to thank the mayor and the police chief for what they’re doing, and I just want to do the same thing the mayor is doing ... he’s here constantly to tell the people that live in this community that the local level and state level we’re providing whatever resources are necessary.”

This visit comes on the heels of the governor sending in 20 additional FHP troopers to patrol Seminole Heights.

Chief Dugan says the resources the governor is providing are vital for the city.

"We have to protect the rest of the city, so by giving us these additional resources it allows us to continue to protect the rest of our city, because we have a huge responsibility. And it’s not just about one neighborhood -- it’s about the entire city of Tampa,” Dugan said.

During his visit, Gov. Scott also met Robert Gene Hoffa, whose niece, Monica Hoffa, was the second of the four victims murdered by what appears to be a serial killer. Robert told us he can’t thank local and state leaders enough.

“Benjamin, Monica, Anthony and Ronald, nobody deserved any of this -- they were all innocent," Robert said. "We just want the community to know that we’re supportive of all of our resources and we want to thank the governor very much for allocating all of these resources for this."

Officials said they won’t stop until this killer is found.