Current:Home > NewsFather accused of trying to date his daughter, charged in shooting of her plus 3 more -MoneyStream
Father accused of trying to date his daughter, charged in shooting of her plus 3 more
View
Date:2025-04-13 12:06:02
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! (528)
Related
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- 'QUEEEEEN': Raygun of Olympics breakdancing fame spotted busting moves, gains fan in Adele
- 2024 Olympics: USA Gymnastics' Appeal for Jordan Chiles' Medal Rejected
- Prosecutors won’t charge officers who killed armed student outside Wisconsin school
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- NYC man charged with hate crime after police say he yelled ‘Free Palestine’ and stabbed a Jewish man
- Hoda Kotb Shares Reason Why She and Fiancé Joel Schiffman Broke Up
- Plan approved by North Carolina panel to meet prisoner reentry goals
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Americans are becoming less religious. None more than this group
Ranking
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Hoda Kotb tearfully reflects on motherhood during 60th birthday bash on 'Today' show
- Officer faces murder charge in shooting of pregnant Black woman who was accused of shoplifting
- Connecticut Republicans pick candidates to take on 2 veteran Democrats in Congress
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- RHONY's Pigeon-Themed Season 15 Trailer Will Have Bravo Fans Squawking
- The Golden Bachelorette: Meet Joan Vassos' Contestants—Including Kelsey Anderson's Dad
- Conservationists try to protect ecologically rich Alabama delta from development, climate change
Recommendation
Trump's 'stop
Florida now counts 1 million more registered Republican voters than Democrats
A jury says a Louisiana regulator is not liable for retirees’ $400 million in Stanford Ponzi losses
Which cars won't make it to 2025? Roundup of discontinued models
Travis Hunter, the 2
Will the attacks on Walz’s military service stick like they did to Kerry 20 years ago?
US Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the progressive ‘Squad,’ faces repeat primary challenge in Minnesota
Why Post Malone Thinks It Would Suck to Be Taylor Swift or Beyoncé