Current:Home > ContactFather accused of trying to date his daughter, charged in shooting of her plus 3 more -Capitatum
Father accused of trying to date his daughter, charged in shooting of her plus 3 more
Fastexy Exchange View
Date:2025-04-06 08:06:05
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! (88)
Related
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2024: Shop Activewear Deals from Beyond Yoga, adidas, SPANX & More
- After massive AT&T data breach, can users do anything?
- Archaeologists unearth 4,000-year-old temple and theater in Peru
- South Korean president's party divided over defiant martial law speech
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard timeline: From her prison release to recent pregnancy announcement
- How many points did Bronny James score tonight? Lakers-Rockets summer league box score
- 10 billion passwords have been leaked on a hacker site. Are you at risk?
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Antonio Banderas and Stepdaughter Dakota Johnson's Reunion Photo Is Fifty Shades of Adorable
Ranking
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Millions of Americans live without AC. Here's how they stay cool.
- Jurors in Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial begin deliberations
- When is Wimbledon women's final? Date, time, TV for Jasmine Paolini vs. Barbora Krejcikova
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Meet Kylie Cantrall, the teen TikTok star ruling Disney's 'Descendants'
- A county canvassing board rejected the absentee ballot of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum’s wife
- Alec Baldwin trial on hold as judge considers defense request to dismiss case over disputed ammo
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
Suspect arrested 20 years to the day after 15-year-old Arizona girl was murdered
Ohio mother dies after chasing down car with her 6-year-old son inside
1 dead, 2 missing after tour helicopter crashes off Hawaiian coast
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Tour helicopter crash off Hawaiian island leaves 1 dead and 2 missing
4-year-old girl reported missing in Massachusetts found unresponsive in neighbor's pool
Arizona abortion initiative backers sue to remove ‘unborn human being’ from voter pamphlet language