Current:Home > FinanceA Florida couple won $3,300 at the casino. Two men then followed them home and shot them. -NextFrontier Finance
A Florida couple won $3,300 at the casino. Two men then followed them home and shot them.
View
Date:2025-04-16 16:24:33
Correction: An early version of this story provided an incorrect location for the casino the victims were visiting.
A Florida couple is grateful to be alive after two masked men attacked, robbed and shot them as they returned home from a date night at a casino, according to authorities.
The ambush happened at 5 a.m. on Aug. 2 outside a home in Riverview, Florida after the couple spent the evening at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, a Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spokesperson told USA TODAY on Friday. Two people were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds that morning.
Tristin Wright, 36, and Marcus Jenkins, 34, have been arrested in connection with the shooting, according to the department. Jenkins has been charged with attempted murder, but both men face several robbery, firearm and battery charges, the spokesperson said. Police are also currently looking for a third suspect.
USA TODAY was working to track down the men's attorneys, if they have them. None are listed for them in court records.
Gunshot victims detail attack
Kim Chambliss and her boyfriend, Val Delacruz, spoke to WTVT about the attack and how they are recovering from the shooting.
"I hear another gunshot and my first thought was 'They've killed him.' I was hysterical, I screamed and cried," Chambliss told the TV station about what she thought when the robbers shot Delacruz.
She talked about how shocking the attack was, saying "we're just average people who are out having a good time, who love each other."
"And to know that we didn't even realize that people were following us every step of the way − it's scary. It's scary," she told the station.
Five gunshots were fired during the robbery, the Miami Herald reported, citing Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies.
Ring camera caught shooting on video
Chambliss said the two men surrounded her and Delacruz's car and demanded money, WTVT reported.
"I ran and I fell in the door and the other guy came out and shot me again for the third time in my left leg," Delacruz told the TV station.
Ring camera footage captured the entire situation, even showing Delacruz being shot in both legs before pleading to the masked men who were standing over him, according to WTVT. The men drove away once the couple's neighbors walked outside.
The couple stayed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for several hours and left after Delacruz won $3,300 on a slot machine and cashed out, the Miami Herald reported, citing the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
'We're just average people'
Investigators arrested Jenkins and Wright after surveillance video showed them watching the couple at the casino in Tampa, Florida for two hours before following them home, WTVT reported.
The attack happened on the one night a month the couple makes time for a date. "We don't get to do it often just because we both work extremely hard," Chambliss told the station.
Delacruz said he is "normally aware" of his surroundings or "would notice if someone was following" him, the TV station reported.
"We've always felt safe in our home. Safe in the neighborhood," Chambliss said. "To have that taken away (is) to have just such an insecure feeling."
veryGood! (31888)
Related
- Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
- Mystery surrounding 3 Kansas City Chiefs fans found dead outside man's home leads to accusations from victim's family
- With police stops in the spotlight, NYC council is expected to override mayor on transparency bill
- House Republicans release articles of impeachment against Alejandro Mayorkas
- Olympic disqualification of gold medal hopeful exposes 'dark side' of women's wrestling
- Recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches were never tested for lead, FDA reports
- Proof Below Deck's Fraser Olender Might Be Dating a Charter Guest After Season 11 Kiss
- UN agency confirms 119.8 degrees reading in Sicily two years ago as Europe’s record high temperature
- How effective is the Hyundai, Kia anti-theft software? New study offers insights.
- UN envoy says her experience in Colombia deal may help her efforts in restarting Cyprus talks
Ranking
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- David and Victoria Beckham Troll Themselves in the Most Hilarious Way
- The job market is getting more competitive. How to write a resume that stands out.
- Former state senator announces run for North Dakota’s lone US House seat
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Alex Murdaugh denied new murder trial, despite jury tampering allegations
- Olivia Culpo Celebrates Fiancé Christian McCaffrey After Win Secures Spot in 2024 Super Bowl
- David and Victoria Beckham Troll Themselves in the Most Hilarious Way
Recommendation
Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
Maine lawmakers consider request to give subpoena power to committee investigating mass shooting
Putin and Lukashenko meet in St Petersburg to discuss ways to expand the Russia-Belarus alliance
Enemy drone that killed US troops in Jordan was mistaken for a US drone, preliminary report suggests
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Georgia House votes to revive prosecutor oversight panel as Democrats warn of targeting Fani Willis
Why Pilot Thinks He Solved Amelia Earhart Crash Mystery
Northern Ireland political party agrees to end 2-year boycott that caused the government to collapse