A concerned mother in Florida set up a sting operation at a local Popeye’s to confront a man who was sexting her 13-year-old daughter. The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Cerry Rodriques Banks, was discovered to be having an inappropriate relationship with the teenager. The mother took her daughter’s phone and pretended to be her to arrange a meeting with Banks at the fast food restaurant. When Banks arrived, the mother, along with her daughter and 11-year-old son, confronted him. However, he allegedly showed them a pistol tucked in his waistband and threatened the mother, prompting her to call the police.
The responding officer arrived at the scene and found Banks still outside the restaurant. When the officer ordered him to show his hands, Banks turned his back to the officer and attempted to flee, pulling out a pistol in the process. The officer yelled for him to stop and, when he didn’t comply, shot him multiple times. Banks was wounded but continued to run behind a neighboring business, where he dropped his gun. He was eventually found hiding in a drainage tunnel and was taken into custody after receiving medical assistance for his wounds.
Banks was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, lewd and lascivious conduct, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and traveling to meet a child after seduction via a computer. He is currently being held on a $700,000 bond. Authorities were able to recover the gun Banks was carrying and determined that he did not exchange gunfire with law enforcement during the pursuit. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters commented on the situation, stating that while he understood the mother’s concern, he would prefer that parents involve law enforcement in such cases to prevent potential violent confrontations.
In a press conference, Sheriff Waters emphasized the importance of involving law enforcement in situations involving potential threats to minors. He acknowledged the mother’s actions as those of a concerned parent, but stressed the importance of allowing law enforcement to handle such situations to prevent dangerous outcomes. The sheriff expressed understanding of the mother’s fears for her daughter’s safety but urged parents to reach out to the authorities in similar circumstances. As the case unfolded at the Popeye’s restaurant, the officer on the scene had to make split-second decisions to protect the mother and her children from the armed suspect.
The sting operation set up by the Florida mother led to a violent confrontation with the suspect, resulting in the suspect being shot by a police officer. The incident unfolded at a fast food chain where the mother, posing as her daughter, arranged to meet the suspect who had been engaging in inappropriate behavior with the teenager. The situation escalated when the mother confronted the suspect, who allegedly threatened her with a gun, prompting her to call law enforcement. The responding officer was forced to use lethal force when the suspect attempted to flee and brandished his weapon. The suspect was ultimately detained and is facing multiple charges related to the incident.
