Tampa Man Arrested After Proposing to Date His Own Daughter: Police
The city of Tampa was rocked by a shocking incident last week when a man was arrested following a shooting after he proposed to date his own daughter, according to the police department.
The incident took place at a home along 23rd Street on Jan. 17, where police responded to find two female victims who had been shot and had fled the scene. One of the victims was identified as the mother of the suspect, 42-year-old Michael Banks, while the other victim was Banks’ own daughter.
As police established a perimeter around the home, Banks fired two rounds at an officer, leading to a shootout where Banks eventually surrendered and was taken into custody. Tragically, another woman, the mother’s friend, was found dead inside the home with a gunshot wound to her head.
Investigations revealed that Banks had written a letter to his daughter, demanding that she enter into a relationship with him and not date anyone else. This disturbing revelation came to light after Banks overheard a conversation between his mother and her friend about forcing him to move out of the home, causing him to feel betrayed and upset.
Banks confessed to shooting at the victims in an attempt to kill them both, including his daughter who was in the shower at the time of the incident. Court records show that Banks has a history of violence, with previous convictions for battery offenses.
In the wake of the shooting, Banks faces multiple charges including firearm possession, first-degree murder, attempted murder of an officer, and two counts of attempted first-degree murder with great bodily harm. He is currently being held without bond.
Police Chief Lee Bercaw expressed condolences to the family of the deceased woman and the injured victims, highlighting the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in such situations. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with the profession.
The community of Tampa is left reeling from this tragic event, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.