Authorities reported that a Florida man attempted to pursue a romantic relationship with his 17-year-old daughter, which sent him into a violent rage. He killed one lady and injured his mother and daughter.
Michael Banks, 42, shot and murdered his mother’s companion in a fit of wrath at the family’s Tampa home on Wednesday, according to the police.
Officers responded to reports of gunshots when Banks’ family had attempted to intervene and end his amorous pursuit of his daughter.
After his shooting spree, the police opened fire, but they missed Banks. Eventually, Banks surrendered and was detained and sent to jail.
Prosecutors claimed in a plea for pre-trial detention that Banks, upon hearing his mother and her friend discussing expelling him from the family home due to his “pursuing a romantic relationship with his daughter,” resorted to violence.
According to the prosecution, the father fatally shot the mother’s friend in the kitchen with his loaded pistol, engulfed in rage and betrayal. A bullet grazed his mother’s head when Banks allegedly shot at her. Then, say prosecutors, Banks shot his 17-year-old daughter, who was in the bathroom taking a shower. He shot her in the leg through the bathroom door.
Authorities, upon arrival, reported seeing his mom and daughter flee the residence while pleading for aid.
Banks admitted to investigators during subsequent interrogations that he had penned a love letter to his daughter, urging her to enter into a relationship with him and not date anyone else, according to prosecutors.
Banks was convicted of aggravated violence in 2007 for his role in the beating of a pregnant lady. He’s facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, felony possession of a handgun, and attempted first-degree murder of a police officer.
Banks’ pre-trial detention hearing is Wednesday; until then, he remains in jail without bond.
