Current:Home > StocksFather accused of trying to date his daughter, charged in shooting of her plus 3 more -MacroWatch
Father accused of trying to date his daughter, charged in shooting of her plus 3 more
View
Date:2025-04-13 01:47:24
A Florida man who police said shot three women last week at a home, killing one after allegedly admitting he wanted "a romantic relationship" with his own daughter, was indicted Thursday on multiple charges including first-degree murder.
Michael Banks, 42, is also accused of opening fire on police when they responded to the Jan. 17 triple shooting at a home about 8 miles north of downtown Tampa, the Tampa Police Department reported.
According to information from police and a six-page indictment filed Thursday, police were called to Banks' home for a report of a shooting and found his mother and 17-year-old daughter outside the home shot, asking for help.
Shortly after, police wrote in a news release, Banks allegedly opened fire on officers, "forcing them to return fire."
Although no gunfire struck the suspect, he was taken into custody after surrendering at the scene soon after, police said.
Banks' attorney, Maria Dunker, declined to comment on the case Thursday.
Georgia toddler dies:3-year-old dies after mother keeps her kids in freezing woods overnight, police say
Fatal shooting victim identified in court papers as Josephine Muentus
Hillsborough County Circuit Court papers identified the fatal shooting victim as 52-year-old Josephine Muentus.
USA TODAY is not naming the surviving shooting victims. No officers or civilians were injured in the shootout, police said.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who is deceased and those injured in today’s tragedy,” police Chief Lee Bercaw released in a statement after the triple shooting.
'Leaving with the daughter'
Before the shooting, Banks reportedly wrote a letter to his teenage daughter saying she should "enter into a relationship with him and not date anyone else,” according to court documents obtained by the Tampa Bay Times and WFLA-TV.
Banks’ mother, age 60, said she and Muentes were discussing "forcing Banks to move out of the home" because he “was pursuing a romantic relationship with his daughter,” the outlets reported.
After the discussion, the Times reported, Banks' mother said she "heard a gunshot, turned around and saw Muentes fall to the floor as Banks stood over her holding his gun."
The woman said Banks then "shot at her, grazing her head, and she ran out of the house."
The documents, according the outlet, go onto show Banks' daughter was in the shower when she heard the gunfire, and Banks shot her in the leg as she ran out of the home.
Jailed without bond pending arraignment
Banks is charged with first-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to his indictment, Banks was previously convicted of aggravated battery on a pregnant female on June 22, 2007, in Hillsborough County Circuit Court and was forbidden to possess a firearm.
He remained jailed without bond on Thursday, online records show.
Court records show Banks is set to be arraigned on the charges on Feb. 6.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (11381)
Related
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- 16 migrants flown to California on chartered jet and left outside church: Immoral and disgusting
- Today’s Climate: May 13, 2010
- N. Richard Werthamer
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Too Hot to Handle’s Francesca Farago and TikToker Jesse Sullivan Are Engaged
- Why you should stop complimenting people for being 'resilient'
- Today’s Climate: May 17, 2010
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Explosive Growth for LED Lights in Next Decade, Report Says
Ranking
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Alarming Rate of Forest Loss Threatens a Crucial Climate Solution
- Michigan's abortion ban is blocked for now
- N. Richard Werthamer
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Get a $39 Deal on $118 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Skincare Products
- Chinese warship comes within 150 yards of U.S. missile destroyer in Taiwan Strait
- Investors Worried About Climate Change Run Into New SEC Roadblocks
Recommendation
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
Score $131 Worth of Philosophy Perfume and Skincare Products for Just $62
New Hampshire Utility’s Move to Control Green Energy Dollars is Rebuffed
Star Wars Day 2023: Shop Merch and Deals From Stoney Clover Lane, Fanatics, Amazon, and More
Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
Seeing God’s Hand in the Deadly Floods, Yet Wondering about Climate Change
44 Mother's Day Gifts from Celebrity Brands: SKIMS, Rare Beauty, Fenty Beauty, Beis, Honest, and More
Released during COVID, some people are sent back to prison with little or no warning