Steven Reynolds, 70, shot his stepdaughter to death Nov. 23 before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide at Florida Hospital Tampa near the USF campus at 3100 E. Fletcher Ave.
Reynolds shot 41-year-old Alonna Tedesco (photo) just after 7 a.m. Monday morning on the hospital’s third floor, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) spokesperson Donna Lusczynski.
Reynolds died at the scene. Tedesco initially survived the shooting, but after deputies transported her to an emergency room, the efforts to save her failed.
Officials said they were unsure of the motive. Investigators were looking at hospital security footage as we went to press.
The shooting was contained to the hospital room, and the hospital continued normal operations after the incident.
Tedesco was at the hospital visiting her mother Mary Reynolds, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. She recently wrote on her Facebook page beneath a photo of her mother, “All I have to say is Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease! This wonderful woman at the age of 67 looks like the epitome of health! Her body is in great shape yet her mind is so ill! I wish I knew how to cure this disease, I miss my mom!”
According to reports, Tedesco was married to prominent Land O’Lakes physician Dr. John Tedesco. They lived in the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club neighborhood of Dade City.
Alonna has worked as the school nurse at Hudson Middle & High schools since August.
“As much as this tragedy saddens the Pasco County Schools family, it also affects Mrs. Browning and me personally,” said superintendent of schools Kurt S. Browning in a prepared statement. “We have known Alonna for many years and are shocked to learn of her horrific passing. She was a good friend and a talented professional. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.”
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Twistee Treat Gets Unexpected Visitor
Cameron Blake Jackson has given new meaning to the term the “drive-through” as he drove his vehicle smack dab into the Twistee Treat on the corner of New Tampa Blvd. and BBD on Nov. 23. And for a tip, he left his car.
Jackson originally rammed into the front of the Twistee Treat around 5 a.m. in the morning, and fled the scene on foot.
Around 10 a.m. Jackson contacted the police to say his vehicle had been stolen. The information he provided about his vehicle matched the description of the vehicle police had impounded earlier that morning. Questioned by police, Jackson, who was here on business from Texas, admitted to crashing the car into the Twistee Treat and walking two hours back to his hotel.
Jackson was issued a criminal citation for hit and run.
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Car Thieves Thwarted
Early in the morning on Nov. 2 a stolen car was identified by a Tampa police officer in New Tampa, and after a two-county pursuit, ended in south St. Petersburg with seven people detained by the St. Petersburg Police Department (SPPD).
According to TPD, at approximately 3:39 a.m., Sgt. O. Rosa was on Tampa Palms Blvd. at Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd., when he discovered the car ahead of him at a traffic light had been reported stolen. Rose initiated a pursuit, which he eventually backed off of as it was picked up by a TPD helicopter, which tracked the car all the way to 15th Avenue S. and 7th Street S. in St. Petersburg.
Several of the suspects in the car jumped out and ran into the house, which was quickly surrounded by Tampa and St. Petersburg police officers.
Seven people were detained and transported to the St. Pete Police Department for interviews.
There were no injuries or crashes reported in the pursuit.
The joint effort between Hillsborough and Pinellas law enforcement began on Aug. 14, with SPPD Chief Anthony Holloway saying at a news conference that:
“We recognize that although our jurisdictions are defined by geographical borders, crime is not. In order to address this type of crime pattern and fight the rising number of auto thefts more effectively, we recognize that there is a need for an ongoing, collective enforcement effort.”
Comparing Jan. to June figures in 2014 with 2015, TPD reported a 47.4-percent increase in motor vehicle thefts. St. Petersburg police reported a 23 percent increase, while the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office had a 31 percent increase.
The majority of the stolen vehicles, it should be noted, were unlocked.
The Auto Theft Task Force reported 62 arrests (36 adult and 26 juvenile offenders) resulting in 171 charges, including 37 for grand theft auto, in its first five weeks of operation.
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