In a disturbing incident in Florida, a 42-year-old man with a history of violence was arrested after attempting to pursue a romantic relationship with his teenage daughter, resulting in the tragic death of a woman, injuries to two others, and a confrontation with the police.
The arrest of Michael Banks was announced by Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw and Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez in a joint press briefing covered by FOX 13.
Responding to reports of gunfire at a residence on 23rd Street in Tampa, officers found a woman and a young female fleeing the home in distress.
Upon arrival, Banks allegedly opened fire on the responding officers, who bravely returned fire and successfully apprehended him without any injuries. Subsequent entry into the residence revealed the lifeless body of a woman.
Prosecutors disclosed on Thursday that the violent outburst was triggered by Banks overhearing discussions about his potential eviction from the home. The catalyst for this was the revelation that he was "pursuing a romantic relationship with his daughter," as reported by the station. Feeling betrayed and angered, Banks reportedly seized a loaded revolver and fatally shot an unidentified woman in the home.
Continuing his violent spree, Banks also targeted his mother, grazing her head with a gunshot, before pursuing his 17-year-old daughter, who was in the shower. Prosecutors claim he fired through the bathroom door, injuring his daughter in the leg. Both mother and daughter managed to escape the house, seeking help when the police arrived.
During questioning, Banks admitted to writing a disturbing love letter to his daughter, urging her to exclusively enter into a relationship with him and avoid dating anyone else.
The suspect now faces serious charges, including first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted murder of a law enforcement official, and illegal possession of a firearm as a felon. Banks, previously convicted of aggravated battery for assaulting a pregnant woman in 2007, is being held without bond. This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face in protecting the community from such dangerous situations.
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