TAMPA, Fla. (TCD) — A 42-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of fatally shooting a woman, injuring two family members, and firing at police because he was reportedly being kicked out of his home for wanting a “romantic relationship” with his own teen daughter.
According to a news release from the Tampa Police Department, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, at around 12:40 p.m., officers received a report of a shooting inside a home in the 10000 block of 23rd Street. Police responded to the scene, where they located two women leaving the residence after allegedly being shot by Michael Banks.
The Tampa Bay Times reports the victims exiting the scene were the suspect’s mother and daughter.
Banks began firing at police shortly after. Officers returned gunfire but didn’t hit the suspect, and no one was harmed during the exchange. Banks eventually surrendered and was taken into custody.
Inside the home, officers reportedly found 52-year-old Josephine Muentes in the kitchen with a fatal gunshot wound to her head, and they recovered a muzzle loader on the table.
According to court documents reviewed by the Tampa Bay Times, Banks’ mother disclosed to police that she and Muentes spoke about kicking Banks out of the home because he “was pursuing a romantic relationship” with his own 17-year-old daughter.
Banks’ mother reportedly told officers she heard a gunshot shortly after her conversation with Muentes. She allegedly witnessed her friend collapse to the ground while Banks stood over Muentes with his gun. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Banks’ mother said her son then fired at her, and she rushed out of the home.
During the shooting, Banks’ daughter said she was in the shower, overheard the gunfire, and tried to keep the bathroom door closed, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Banks reportedly shot through it “at approximately head level.” The suspect’s daughter escaped, and Banks allegedly shot her in the leg as she ran away from the home.
In an interview with police, the Tampa Bay Times reports Banks said he overheard his mother and Muentes discuss leaving with his teen daughter, and he became upset. Banks reportedly confessed to police that he wrote a letter to his daughter “insisting that she enter into a relationship with him and not date anyone else.”
Banks, angry about his mother’s conversation, allegedly went to his room, grabbed his revolver, and walked to the kitchen, where he shot Muentes in the head. He reportedly tried to kill his mother, aiming toward her head and upper torso.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Banks also admitted to police he shot through the bathroom door where his daughter was and then later shot her in the leg.
Banks allegedly reloaded his firearm and left the home through the back door, and he heard police yelling before their fire exchange ensued.
Banks was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail, where he remains held without bond on charges of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, and felon in possession of a firearm.
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