Miami-Dade police have disclosed the identity of the man who, last Friday, brutally murdered Cuban mother Odalys Bancroft and her nearly four-year-old son, Theodor Couto. The killer, who committed suicide after the fatal shootings, has been identified as 41-year-old Michael Andrés Pineda Lozano.
Pineda Lozano, whose Hispanic nationality has not been disclosed, was not Theodor's biological father but had a romantic relationship with the victim. Public records indicate that he divorced another partner in 2020, with no incidents of violence mentioned in the separation petition, as reported by Telemundo 51.
In an earlier statement to the same media outlet, Michael Trujillo, the brother of the slain Cuban woman, expressed his devastation over the double homicide. "There is no scenario in which I could have imagined this happening. I still can't comprehend it. It's very difficult. There is a lot of pain. It's still a huge shock that something so terrible has happened to our family," Trujillo said.
"They had their issues, but we never thought something this horrific could happen. I didn't believe he was capable of such evil," added the visibly moved brother.
On June 7, the 43-year-old woman was in line in her vehicle to withdraw money from a Chase ATM in West Kendall, southwest of Miami-Dade, when her ex-partner parked beside her and fatally shot both her and her son, who had just graduated from PreK4. A witness recorded the chilling moments, and in the video audio, a couple can be heard calling the police.
Detective Luis Sierra from the Miami Police Department confirmed that the perpetrator was in a truck, stopping outside the bank next to the minivan where the mother and son were waiting their turn in the ATM line. Michael Andrés Pineda exited his vehicle and shot them multiple times with a long gun. He then got back into his car, sat in the passenger seat, and took his own life.
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, he found the three bodies.
Upon arrival, the father of the murdered child, Vicente Couto, also of Cuban origin, had to be attended to by officers due to his overwhelming grief. Odalys Bancroft, who identified herself as "Odalys María" on Facebook, was the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Jackson Health System, where she began working in 2015 as a clinical nurse. She had recently been working at the Holtz Children's Hospital.
Family members of the victims have created two GoFundMe accounts to help cover the funeral expenses for Odalys and little Theodore.
Details on the Miami-Dade Tragedy
Given the gravity of this incident, many people have questions regarding the circumstances and aftermath. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Who was Michael Andrés Pineda Lozano?
Michael Andrés Pineda Lozano was a 41-year-old Hispanic man whose nationality has not been disclosed. He had a romantic relationship with the victim, Odalys Bancroft, but was not the biological father of her son, Theodor Couto.
What happened on June 7 in West Kendall?
On June 7, Odalys Bancroft and her son Theodor Couto were fatally shot by Michael Andrés Pineda Lozano while they were waiting in line at a Chase ATM in West Kendall. After the shootings, Pineda Lozano committed suicide.
How are the victims' families coping?
The families are devastated by the tragedy. Odalys Bancroft's brother, Michael Trujillo, expressed his shock and sorrow, while the child's father, Vicente Couto, was overwhelmed with grief upon arriving at the scene.
What support is being provided to the victims' families?
Family members have set up two GoFundMe accounts to help with the funeral expenses for Odalys Bancroft and Theodor Couto.