MIAMI, FLORIDA – A community is left devastated after a tragic murder-suicide took the lives of a mother and her 4-year-old son outside a Chase Bank in West Kendall. The family of the victims is heartbroken, struggling to come to terms with the senseless act that claimed their loved ones.
Michael Trujillo, the brother of 43-year-old Odalys Bancroft, described her as a kind-hearted and empathetic individual. Bancroft held a prominent position as the director of regulatory affairs at Jackson Health System, where she had dedicated years of service, starting as a clinical staff nurse and advancing to leadership roles at Holtz Children’s Hospital.
Trujillo expressed shock and disbelief at the tragic events, questioning what could have led someone to commit such a heinous act against a woman and her young child. Teddy Couto, known as Teddy, was just 4 years old and had recently celebrated his PreK-4 graduation. His upcoming fifth birthday celebration will now never come to pass, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew him.
Miami-Dade Police reported that Bancroft and Teddy were in a minivan at the bank’s ATM when a man in an SUV pulled up beside them and opened fire, fatally injuring both mother and son. The shooter then turned the weapon on himself in a shocking act of violence that has shaken the community.
Disturbing video footage captured by a witness at the scene showed the tragic events unfold outside the Chase Bank on Bird Road and 152nd Avenue. While family members have identified the gunman as Bancroft’s ex-boyfriend, authorities have yet to officially confirm his identity, leaving many questions unanswered.
Trujillo shared that while there were some concerns about the relationship between Bancroft and the gunman, nothing indicated the tragic turn of events that transpired. As the family grapples with the loss of two beloved members, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murder-suicide that has left a community reeling from the senseless violence.
Despite the pain and sorrow, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family of Odalys and Teddy as they navigate through this difficult chapter in their lives. The outpouring of support from the community serves as a small beacon of hope in the midst of heartache and tragedy.