A man killed a Cuban mother and her three-year-old son before taking his own life outside a Chase bank in Miami-Dade County. The tragic incident took place on Friday morning at a shopping plaza in Kendall West, located at the intersection of Bird Road and Southwest 152nd Avenue.
Detective Luis Sierra, spokesperson for the Miami Police, confirmed that the assailant arrived in a truck and stopped outside the bank next to a minivan where the mother and son were waiting in line for the ATM. A sergeant from the Kendall district of the Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) was patrolling the area when he heard the gunshots.
Upon arriving at the scene, the sergeant discovered the three bodies. The shooter was found next to the passenger side of the vehicle. The two victims were identified as Odalys Bancroft, a 43-year-old Cuban nurse, and Theodore Cuoto, who would have turned four next month.
The family confirmed that Bancroft was divorced and had recently been in a relationship with a man she was trying to separate from, even seeking a restraining order against him. It is believed that this ex-boyfriend was the perpetrator, although this has not been officially confirmed. His identity has not been disclosed to the media.
The motive for the crime remains unclear. Odalys Bancroft, known on Facebook as Odalys María, served as the director of regulatory affairs at Jackson Health System, where she began her career in 2015 as a clinical nurse. More recently, she worked at the Holtz Children's Hospital.
According to Carlos Migoya, CEO of the institution, Bancroft made a lasting impact on the organization. "Odalys deeply believed in the work we do and always proudly represented Jackson. Jackson is better because of Odalys and the indelible mark she left on our organization," he said in a statement.
Family members have created two accounts on the GoFundMe platform to help cover the funeral expenses for Odalys and little Theodore.
FAQs about the Miami Tragedy Involving Odalys Bancroft
Below are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding the tragic incident involving Odalys Bancroft and her son in Miami. These aim to provide more information and address common inquiries.
Who were the victims in the Miami shooting incident?
The victims were Odalys Bancroft, a 43-year-old Cuban nurse, and her three-year-old son, Theodore Cuoto.
What was Odalys Bancroft's role at Jackson Health System?
Odalys Bancroft was the director of regulatory affairs at Jackson Health System and had been with the institution since 2015, starting as a clinical nurse.
Has the identity of the shooter been revealed?
No, the identity of the shooter has not been officially disclosed to the media.
Is there a known motive for the crime?
The motive for the crime is still unknown, but it is believed that the shooter was an ex-boyfriend of Odalys Bancroft.