Arrests Made in Citrus Park Triple Shooting, Double Homicide

Nel Mason would have turned 53 today, May 6.

Her accused shooter turned 37 one day before Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies say he pulled the trigger during a robbery home invasion that ended Mason’s life and that of her close friend, Fern Giddings, 56. Mason’s daughter, Christina Soto, 35, was also injured in the Sunday attack in Citrus Park.

Jason Mark Burnett now stands accused of two counts of first-degree murder and a host of other charges in relation to the May 5 shootings.

Deputies have also charged Burnett with attempted first degree murder, home invasion robbery and aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony.

Burnett, who has no known address, was not unknown to law enforcement prior to Sunday’s shooting, according to sheriff’s office spokeswoman Debbie Carter.

“It should be noted that Burnett has a lengthy criminal history with previous charges ranging from resist arrest with violence, home invasion, animal cruelty, assault on a law enforcement officer, grand theft and burglary,” Carter wrote in an email to media.

Also arrested was Gary Honish, 47, on a charge of being an accessory after the fact to home invasion robbery.

Mason and Giddings both died as a result of gunshot wounds. Soto remains in St. Joseph’s Hospital today, May 6, according to the sheriff’s office.

The shootings took place around 11:12 a.m. May 5 at the home the three women shared at 7420 Manhattan Drive in Citrus Park.

Deputies say a witness ran to the sheriff’s office District III headquarters on Gunn Highway to let them know about the shooting. When deputies arrived, they found Giddings dead inside the home. Mason died a short time later at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Soto was found with gunshot wounds outside the home.

“Eye witnesses were later identified during the continued investigation,” a sheriff’s office media release states. “During that time, two individuals by the names of Gary Honish and Jason Burnett were identified as the two parties involved in the incident.”

Deputies also found the gun believed to have been used in the shootings and say Honish knew the women from narcotics dealings in the past.

“Based on the information that Honish had provided Burnett that the victims would be a good target for a home invasion as they would have narcotics and cash on hand, Burnett had Honish drive to the residence,” the release said. “And after Honish dropped Burnett off, Burnett returned to the vehicle and stated that he had robbed the victims.”

Honish of 7408 Alvina St. remained in the Hillsborough County Jail today, May 6, without bond. Burnett was also being held without bond.

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