TAMPA, Fla. -- Tuesday marks one year since the start of a string of killings that shook the Seminole Height Community to its core.

• Seminole Heights community faced string of killings last year
• The murders put residents on edge
• Since then, residents say community is 'stronger than ever'

Tampa Police say Howell Donaldson III shot and killed four people last October and November.

Residents and police had been on edge since Oct. 9 2017, when 22-year-old Benjamin Mitchell was shot to death. Two days later, 32-year-old Monica Hoffa was killed. And on Oct. 19, Anthony Naiboa, 20, was killed after taking the wrong bus home from his new job. On Nov. 14, 60-year-old Ronald Felton was killed.

Howell Donaldson III was arrested on Nov. 28, 2017.

"It was almost like a party in the street everyone was so excited and the businesses around here really picked up," resident Fernando Socias said.

Nearly a year later, residents still remember those dark days but are reflecting on the strength of the community that came together.

"The way that we stuck together in the worst times and now that we're getting better and better, there's such a strong community vibe here and everyone genuinely wants what's best for the people here," Socias said.

Residents said they’ll never forget the lives that were lost but vow to continue helping the community move forward.

"It says a lot about the close knit community that we have here," resident Savanah Stark said. "Everyone is so great did a great job rallying around each other."

Donaldson was recently found competent to stand trial. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.