Tragedy at Chase Bank: Hispanic mother is murdered by her ex along with her little boy

• Odalys Bancroft and her son, Theodore Couto, were going to withdraw money from the ATM
• A crime occured outside the Chase Bank branch
• They never imagined what awaited them

The cold-blooded murder of a mother and her four-year-old son has shocked the community of Kendall West, Florida.

The attack was carried out by her ex-boyfriend, who after shooting them with a long gun, took his own life a few meters from the woman and her child.

Odalys Bancroft, 43, and her 4-year-old son, Theodore Couto, were shot dead in line at an ATM at a Chase Bank, in the area of Bird Road and 152nd Avenue.

According to witnesses and security forces, they were waiting their turn inside the car. The woman was in the driver’s seat and the child in his safety seat.

Michael Andrés Pineda Lozano stalked his victims

Michael Andrés Pineda Lozano, 41, as the authorities identified the gunman, had been following the family minivan.

He waited for the right moment, got out with his weapon, and shot in front of everyone at the Chase Bank.

Then, Pineda stood by the passenger side of the minivan and again fired his weapon, this time to end his own life.

A sergeant from the Kendall district of the Miami Dade Police Department was patrolling the area when he heard the shots, changed his course, and arrived at the place, finding the gruesome scene with the three bodies.

There are no additional details about the killer, only that he had been in a romantic relationship with the Hispanic woman and that they had recently ended it.

Bancroft was the director of regulatory affairs at Jackson Health System.

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She joined the hospital system in 2015, began her career as a clinical nurse, and eventually worked in leadership positions at Holtz Children’s Hospital.

Theodore Couto, better known to his family as «Teddy», had recently finished his preschool education and would have turned five next month.

Authorities are investigating the case as a murder-suicide.

According to the latest statements, Bancroft had recently filed a restraining order against Pineda Lozano.

It is still unknown if there were threats or violence from the aggressor against the mother and her son prior to the crime.

The family of the murdered child has opened a GoFundMe page to raise funds for his funeral.

«Today, our family faces an unimaginable tragedy. Vicente Couto has lost his only son, Theodore Couto,» begins the plea on the fundraising page.

«There are no words to express the depth of our sorrow. Theodore was a bright light in our lives, and his sudden departure has left us shattered.»

«We are reaching out to our community in this time of need,» continues the message asking for help «to cover the funeral expenses and support Theodore’s family.»

«Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. Hug your loved ones and treasure every moment together. Thank you for your kindness and generosity.»

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