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A heartbreaking incident unfolded when a man allegedly drove his vehicle into a family out for an evening stroll, subsequently opening fire and tragically taking the life of a 3-year-old child.
On February 17, Alexander Lamar Banks, a 21-year-old, faced arraignment on multiple serious charges. These included first-degree premeditated murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder, four counts of felony firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, and possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle. This information was shared in a press release from Eaton County officials in Michigan.
The devastating event occurred on February 13 in Delta Township, as a couple enjoyed a walk with their young daughter, who was riding in a pink wagon. What was meant to be a peaceful family outing quickly turned into a nightmare.
According to neighborhood surveillance footage cited in a probable cause affidavit, Banks allegedly veered off the road at a high speed, striking the family. The impact reportedly propelled the mother forward, while the father and child were knocked to the ground. The vehicle continued its path until it collided with a structure and came to a halt.
The affidavit details that in the chaos, the mother rushed to her husband and child, only to witness Banks raise a shotgun. It is alleged that Banks recorded himself as he shot all three family members. He then reportedly returned to a bag to reload his weapon, before running back and shooting the man at close range. The entire sequence was reportedly captured on video.
The mother told detectives that Banks also punched her husband while she tried to intervene, however she said Banks pulled her hair, “as if he was trying to break her neck.”
A 72-year-old neighbor, identified by the mother, ran toward Banks, according to the affidavit, who struck her with the shotgun, then repeatedly beat her with it.
Banks allegedly dropped the gun and ran off, jumping a fence to get away.
Police found all four victims lying on the front lawn of a home, with the child pronounced dead on the scene, according to a separate press release from the Eaton County Sheriff’s Department.
The parents were hospitalized in stable condition while the neighbor remains in critical condition.
Banks claimed he had been receiving online threats, according to a police interview cited in the affidavit, “and people were telling him he had to kill someone to save his family.”
Banks told police that on Feb. 13, he took his father’s shotgun and drove around the block a few times before spotting the family. He admitted to hitting them with his car, while intentionally aiming for the dad, and shooting at the family.
He also confessed, per the affidavit, to beating the father with the shotgun before the neighbor intervened. Banks said that afterward, he dropped the gun and fled.
Detectives found Banks’ shotgun in the front yard of a home, per the affidavit, with human hair and flesh stuck in the muzzle.
Banks may not have been in the right state of mind during his police confession, defense attorney William Amadeo told Oxygen.
“I think there were some mental health issues present,” said Amadeo, adding that, to his knowledge, Banks’ family was not under any threat that could have motivated his alleged actions.
“His parents are horrified and scared for their son,” Amadeo said, calling the child’s death a tragedy. “They’re grieving for the victims.”
Banks was denied bond and he pleaded not guilty. The court, according to the county press release, also ordered Banks to undergo a competency evaluation at the Center for Forensic Psychology.
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 20.