MIAMI, FLORIDA – A tragic incident unfolded outside a Chase Bank in West Kendall, where a gunman shot and killed a woman and her 4-year-old son before turning the gun on himself. The shooter has been identified as 41-year-old Michael Andres Pineda Lozano.
According to Miami-Dade Police, the victim, Odalys Bancroft, 43, was in a minivan with her son when they pulled up to the bank’s ATM and were in line. Lozano approached them in an SUV and opened fire, fatally injuring both Bancroft and her son before taking his own life.
Authorities revealed that Lozano was Bancroft’s ex-boyfriend, shedding light on a disturbing domestic relationship that ended in tragedy. Bancroft’s brother, Michael Trujillo, expressed shock over the incident, mentioning that while there were some concerns about Lozano, nothing indicated the extreme violence that transpired.
Described as kind-hearted and empathetic, Bancroft was the director of regulatory affairs at Jackson Health System, where she had a successful career beginning as a clinical staff nurse in 2015 and later assuming leadership roles. Her son, Theodore Couto, known as Teddy, had recently graduated from PreK-4 and would have turned five the next month.
Footage of the heartbreaking event, captured by a witness at the scene, was obtained by NBC6, showing the tragic aftermath of the shooting. Trujillo expressed disbelief over the senseless act of violence, emphasizing the devastating impact on his family and the community.
As Teddy’s father arrived at the scene in distress, police attempted to offer support while reporters reached out for comments, respecting the family’s wishes for privacy during such a challenging time. A GoFundMe page has been established to aid Odalys and Theodore’s family in coping with the tragic loss, highlighting the community’s solidarity in times of sorrow.