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And yes, this WAS in Florida. How did you guess?
Fair use cited so on and so forth. Pic included to preclude rounds of GTR.
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Following his arrest, Michael Banks allegedly told police about the letter, authorities say
By Bailey Richards
Updated on January 23, 2024 10:29AM EST
A man in Tampa, Fla., is accused of going on a shooting spree in which he killed his mother's friend and wounded his mother and his teenage daughter before firing at police officers last Wednesday.
According to court documents filed by prosecutors, the man allegedly wrote a letter to his teenage daughter saying he wanted to have a romantic relationship with her before the shooting.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Michael Banks, allegedly told police that he wrote a letter to his 17-year-old daughter “insisting that she enter into a relationship with him and not date anyone else,” according to court documents obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, local Fox affiliate WTVT and local NBC affiliate WFLA.
Prior to the shooting, prosecutors say Banks’ mother and her friend were in the family home discussing kicking Banks out after learning he was "pursuing a romantic relationship with his daughter,” the documents state, WTVT reports.
Prosecutors claim in the documents that upon overhearing this discussion, Banks felt “betrayed and upset,” so he retrieved a revolver and brought it to the kitchen, where he then shot his mother, 60, and mother’s friend, killing the friend, according to the Times and WFLA.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(742x383:744x385):format(webp)/Michael-Banks-mugshot-012224-tout-aa6a3edd1cb041acb5cf4faf0d6d581b.jpg "Michael Banks mugshot")
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Then, prosecutors allege Banks shot a bullet that grazed his mother’s head before going after his daughter, who was in the shower, per WTVT.
Banks’ daughter told authorities that after hearing gunshots from the bathroom, she tried to push the door to keep it closed, and Banks allegedly shot through it “at approximately head level,” per the Times.
As the teen ran from the home, Banks allegedly shot and wounded her leg. He then allegedly reloaded the revolver before exiting the residence through the back door, the documents state, per the Times.
His mother called 911 around 12:42 p.m. on Wednesday, telling police that Banks had shot at her and her friend, the documents state, per the Times. Police identified the slain friend as Josephine Muentes, 52.
Upon arrival, police found Banks’ mother and daughter outside of the home with gunshot wounds, per the Times.
With the reloaded revolver, Banks allegedly shot at officers, and they returned fire, though no shots struck the suspect, according to Tampa Police. No officers were injured, and Banks surrendered shortly after and was taken into police custody, police say.
Police then entered the residence and located Muentes, who was pronounced deceased on scene.
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Banks was arrested on five charges: one count of first-degree murder with a firearm, two counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, one count of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm and one count of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.
It's not immediately clear if he has entered pleas to the charges or retained an attorney.
According to the Times, Banks has at least two prior convictions for violent crimes, including aggravated battery on a pregnant female in 2007.
He is being held in Hillsborough County jail without bond.
Fair use cited so on and so forth. Pic included to preclude rounds of GTR.
Man Allegedly Wrote Daughter, 17, a Letter Saying He Wanted to Date Her, Then Shot Her and Others: Prosecutors
Following his arrest, Michael Banks allegedly told police about the letter, authorities say.
Man Allegedly Wrote Daughter, 17, a Letter Saying He Wanted to Date Her, Then Shot Her and Others: Prosecutors
Following his arrest, Michael Banks allegedly told police about the letter, authorities say
By Bailey Richards
Updated on January 23, 2024 10:29AM EST
A man in Tampa, Fla., is accused of going on a shooting spree in which he killed his mother's friend and wounded his mother and his teenage daughter before firing at police officers last Wednesday.
According to court documents filed by prosecutors, the man allegedly wrote a letter to his teenage daughter saying he wanted to have a romantic relationship with her before the shooting.
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Michael Banks, allegedly told police that he wrote a letter to his 17-year-old daughter “insisting that she enter into a relationship with him and not date anyone else,” according to court documents obtained by the Tampa Bay Times, local Fox affiliate WTVT and local NBC affiliate WFLA.
Prior to the shooting, prosecutors say Banks’ mother and her friend were in the family home discussing kicking Banks out after learning he was "pursuing a romantic relationship with his daughter,” the documents state, WTVT reports.
Prosecutors claim in the documents that upon overhearing this discussion, Banks felt “betrayed and upset,” so he retrieved a revolver and brought it to the kitchen, where he then shot his mother, 60, and mother’s friend, killing the friend, according to the Times and WFLA.
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Then, prosecutors allege Banks shot a bullet that grazed his mother’s head before going after his daughter, who was in the shower, per WTVT.
Banks’ daughter told authorities that after hearing gunshots from the bathroom, she tried to push the door to keep it closed, and Banks allegedly shot through it “at approximately head level,” per the Times.
As the teen ran from the home, Banks allegedly shot and wounded her leg. He then allegedly reloaded the revolver before exiting the residence through the back door, the documents state, per the Times.
His mother called 911 around 12:42 p.m. on Wednesday, telling police that Banks had shot at her and her friend, the documents state, per the Times. Police identified the slain friend as Josephine Muentes, 52.
Upon arrival, police found Banks’ mother and daughter outside of the home with gunshot wounds, per the Times.
With the reloaded revolver, Banks allegedly shot at officers, and they returned fire, though no shots struck the suspect, according to Tampa Police. No officers were injured, and Banks surrendered shortly after and was taken into police custody, police say.
Police then entered the residence and located Muentes, who was pronounced deceased on scene.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Banks was arrested on five charges: one count of first-degree murder with a firearm, two counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, one count of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer with a firearm and one count of illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.
It's not immediately clear if he has entered pleas to the charges or retained an attorney.
According to the Times, Banks has at least two prior convictions for violent crimes, including aggravated battery on a pregnant female in 2007.
He is being held in Hillsborough County jail without bond.
