TAMPA, Fla. — Howell Donaldson III, the accused Seminole Heights serial killer, pleaded guilty to four counts of murder in exchange for avoiding the death penalty on Monday morning.

Donaldson will receive four life sentences.

He is accused of killing four people during the fall of 2017. The crime spree gripped the Tampa Bay region and gained national attention.

Donaldson pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of Benjamin Mitchell, 22, Monical Hoffa, 32, Anthony Naiboa, 20, and Ronald Felton, 60.

The Seminole Heights neighborhood was rocked by the deaths, and now those community members are seeing some form of closure in the wake of this guilty plea.

Johnny Daniels of New Season Apostolic Ministries was helping feed the masses in 2018 when volunteer Ronnie Felton was killed.

“Ronnie was my superman,” Daniels said. “You know, like I say, he did it. He did all.”

When Daniels heard the news about Donaldson’s plea, he felt relief.

“I'm relieved because, you know, the families don't have to go through a long-awaited trial and days on, weeks on, and something that will be dragged on,” he said.

Daniels said avoiding having to relive those horrific details in a trial setting is a blessing for the four families.

“By him pleading guilty with four life sentences, they know now that if they do leave this world before he does, they know he never sets foot out here again,” Daniels said.

Lajuanda Barrera, who owns Moates florist on Nebraska Avenue, did the floral arrangements for all four of the victims’ funerals.

She’s hopeful that Monday’s news brings the families some closure.

“Learning that he's going to be held accountable, there's a little bit of peace in my heart this morning,” she said.

Prosecutors say he gunned down the four victims who just happened to be walking alone.

“There is no question this is and always will be a death penalty case. This coward committed unspeakable acts and wreaked havoc on our community for weeks on end. He will now be locked in a prison cell for the rest of his life where he will make no more headlines. We do this with the blessing of the victims’ family members who can now move forward without a lengthy trial or appeals process. We honor Ben, Monica, Anthony, and Ronald’s memories as we close this painful chapter for their families and our community,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Nakeshia Brown, sister of Benjamin Mitchell, addressed Howell on Monday.

"For me I want you dead. And I mean that from my uterus to the darkest place off my soul," Brown said. "Hate is such a strong word but I hate you."

After Donaldson was arrested and indicted by a grand jury, prosecutors announced they would seek the death penalty.

“My daughter Monica was like a ray of sunshine with a playful spirit that is deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. While nothing will bring our beloved child back, it is a small comfort to know this coward will never hurt another innocent person again. I want to thank Tampa Police and the Seminole Heights community for your unwavering support during this nightmare. My faith in God will pull my family through this latest chapter in our story. We will continually reflect on Monica’s incredible zest for life as her memory lives on through the rest of us,” said Monica Hoffa’s father, Kenny Hoffa.

A hearing was supposed to be held on Monday about possibly throwing out all the evidence against Donaldson. However, his defense team announced a plea deal which avoids a trial.

Under the deal, Donaldson can not appeal the convictions. He’ll serve four consecutive life sentences in prison.