Police arrest 22-year-old man in Hyde Park murder case

He faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted armed robbery and two counts of car theft in the case that shook the quiet neighborhood.

By LINDA GIBSON

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 29, 2000

TAMPA -- Police have arrested a suspect in the April 22 shooting death of Hyde Park resident Michael R. Foley.

David M. Kitt, 22, has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of car theft and one count of attempted armed robbery. Detectives identified him as a suspect through fingerprints and interviews, said police spokesman Joseph Durkin. He was arrested Friday at the intersection of Dale Mabry Highway and Interbay Boulevard.

Foley had spent the evening of April 22 with friends at the 42nd Street Bistro on Howard Avenue, then drove with them to their condominium on DeLeon Street. He declined their invitation to come inside, choosing instead to walk to his home at 710 S Rome Ave. It was about 1 a.m.

A resident in the 2000 block of DeLeon Street heard a shot about that time, looked outside and saw Foley running west down DeLeon Street. A few seconds later, Foley fell to the ground. He died while witnesses were trying to revive him.

According to police, Kitt had been driving around the area in a stolen 1995 Jeep Cherokee, looking for someone to rob. He happened upon Foley. Pointing a gun at Foley, Kitt demanded he "give it up." Foley instead turned and ran.

He was shot in the upper body.

Durkin said Kitt abandoned the stolen Jeep in Palma Ceia and soon stole a gray Chevy Astro van. That was found abandoned later near West Gandy Boulevard and South Westshore Boulevard.

Foley's slaying shook up residents of the normally peaceful Hyde Park neighborhood. People there are accustomed to walking around the neighborhood after dark, especially to or from the restaurants along Howard Avenue or for a stroll along Bayshore Boulevard.

Usually, car theft is the most serious crime in that area.

Foley is listed in public records as the president of Dalton/Wyman Cos. Inc. A neighbor who lived a few doors away from him described Foley as a friendly guy she often saw jogging along Bayshore.

"It's a quiet area, but I guess you don't know who's driving around at 2 o'clock in the morning," said Sheila Hieber, who lives close to the spot where Foley collapsed.

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