Tampa murder suspect accused of trying to ‘romance his teen daughter’ before shooting spree, prosecutors say

Prosecutors claim they know why a Tampa man flew into a murderous rage Wednesday afternoon and want him kept behind bars. 

On Wednesday, Tampa police say Michael Banks shot and killed one woman and injured two others, including a juvenile girl, before opening fire on responding officers at a home on North 23rd Street. 

Police say Banks was taken into custody after they returned fire and he surrendered. 

In a pre-trial detention motion filed by prosecutors, they say Banks flew into a violent rage after he overheard his mother and another woman discussing kicking Banks out of the family home after it was revealed Banks was "pursuing a romantic relationship with his daughter. "

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Prosecutors say Banks was feeling angry and betrayed, so he grabbed a loaded revolver and shot and killed an unidentified woman in the kitchen.

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Police investigating fatal shooting on 23rd St. in Tampa. 

Then, according to prosecutors, he shot at his mother and a bullet grazed her head. 

According to the documents filed by prosecutors, Banks then went after his 17-year-old daughter, who was taking a shower. They claim Banks fired through the bathroom door and struck the teen in the leg. 

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They say Banks’ daughter and his mother ran out of the house screaming for help. 

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Michael Banks mugshot courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. 

When Banks was questioned by police, they say he confirmed he had written a love letter to his daughter, urging her, "Enter into a relationship with him and not date anyone else," wrote prosecutors. 

Banks has a violent criminal history that includes a conviction on aggravated battery charges for beating a pregnant woman in 2007. 

Banks is being held without bond until he has a pre-trial detention hearing next Wednesday at 3 p.m.

FloridaCrime and Public Safety