Current:Home > NewsFather accused of trying to date his daughter, charged in shooting of her plus 3 more -RiseUp Capital Academy
Father accused of trying to date his daughter, charged in shooting of her plus 3 more
View
Date:2025-04-26 12:45:33
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! (68746)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Supreme Court agrees to hear case over ban on bump stocks for firearms
- US, Arab countries disagree on need for cease-fire; Israeli strikes kill civilians: Updates
- A science experiment in the sky attempts to unravel the mysteries of contrails
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Minneapolis police investigating another fire at a mosque
- Israel’s military and Hezbollah exchange fire along the tense Lebanon-Israel border
- The Israel-Hamas war has not quashed their compassion, their empathy, their hope
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Why 'Tyler from Spartanburg' torching Dabo Swinney may have saved Clemson football season
Ranking
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Minneapolis police investigating another fire at a mosque
- Biden spent weeks of auto strike talks building ties to UAW leader that have yet to fully pay off
- Connor Stalions, Michigan football staffer at center of sign-stealing scandal, resigns
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Israel’s military and Hezbollah exchange fire along the tense Lebanon-Israel border
- Ukrainian war veterans with amputated limbs find freedom in the practice of jiu-jitsu
- Israeli jets strike Gaza refugee camp, as US fails to win immediate support for pause in fighting
Recommendation
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Small biz owners are both hopeful and anxious about the holidays, taking a cue from their customers
Winter is coming. Here's how to spot — and treat — signs of seasonal depression
When Libs of TikTok tweets, threats increasingly follow
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Families of Israel hostages fear the world will forget. So they’re traveling to be living reminders
Just Say Yes to Jason Kelce and Kylie Kelce's Love Story
Joey Votto out as Reds decline 2024 option on franchise icon's contract