Suspect sought after St. Pete man killed, sister injured

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Police in St. Pete say a 68-year-old man is dead and his sister hospitalized after they were attacked over the weekend. Now, officers are looking for their assailant.

According to police, it was around 7:20 a.m. Monday when they got a call for help from a home on Elkcam Boulevard on Coquina Key.  When they arrived, they found Paul Dumas dead. His sister, 63-year-old Elaine Vidinha, was badly injured.

Investigators say the two were attacked by Otis Joseph Henderson after getting into an argument with him at “some point over the weekend.” It wasn't until Monday morning that someone heard Vidinha's cries for help, and called 911.

"It was a very brutal attack," said Sarah Bentil, St. Petersburg Police spokesperson. "The cause of death along with the details of what happened are under investigation. We are still trying to figure out exactly what happened and why."

Vidinha remains at Bayfront Hospital in critical but stable condition.

Neighbors are not only shaken by the violent act a few doors down. Those who knew Dumas are heartbroken, saying he was kind man, always looking to help, and the type who would give you the shirt off his back.

Police say 44-year-old Henderson may be armed and is considered “very dangerous.” Police haven't specified how the victims knew Henderson  A Florida Department of Corrections search showed that Henderson was released from prison back in August. He served 14 years for burglary, with a prior history of grand theft and aggravated battery.
   
Upon his release, 5 months ago, he listed his address as 4245 Elkcam Boulevard, where the killing happened. Anyone with information on where Henderson might be should call police immediately at 727-893-7780.