The McDonald's employee who turned over a gun used in a string of slayings in the Tampa area will receive "every penny" of the promised $110,000 reward in the case.
Delonda Walker, the manager of the local fast food chain, has been hailed as a hero by community members and law enforcement officials alike for the role she played in the capture of Howell Donaldson, who is accused of murdering four people in the Seminole Heights neighborhood.
Donaldson, who worked with Walker at the McDonald's, was arrested after Walker turned over a bag of food he handed her that also contained the gun used in all four murders.
Tampa businessman Richard Gonzmart personally delivered a check for $9,000, which he promised to donate to the reward fund dedicated to generating tips in the serial killer case, Bay News 9 reported.
Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay initially declined to give Walker the $5,000 portion of the reward they promised as she did not report her tip through their line. They later reversed course on the matter.
The rest of the $110,000 is coming from several different agencies, including $80,000 from law enforcement agencies, Police Chief Brian Dugan said during a news conference.
"Today we are safer community because Ms. Walker did the right thing," Mayor Bob Buckhorn said, with Walker by his side. "She doesn't want the attention. If there was no reward, she would have done the same thing."
By the week's end Walker is slated to receive at least $20,000 of the total reward. Because it is coming from different organizations and people, she may have to wait a while before receiving the full amount.
