A 69-year-old Ocala, Florida, man is accused of shooting his two older roommates to death after a fight over who ate his ice cream, police say.
Story Highlights
- Police say homeowner Mark Lynn Robinson, 69, surrendered and admitted shooting both men who rented rooms from him.
- The victims were Charles Etheze, 69, and Michael Menkes, 78.
- Officers had calmed an argument over eaten ice cream at the home a little more than an hour before the shots.
- Robinson is charged with one count of second-degree murder in the death of Menkes, who police say was shot in the back while running away.
- Police say Robinson believed his two roommates had eaten his ice cream; officers came, found no crime and left, and a little more than an hour later shots were fired at the same house.
Police: A Second Ice Cream Fight Turned Deadly
The shooting happened on Wednesday, October 28, at a home on Southeast Eighth Street in Ocala, a city in central Florida. Police say the trouble started over ice cream. Robinson believed his two roommates had eaten his, and the argument grew loud enough that someone called police. Officers came, found no crime and left. A little more than an hour later, 911 calls came in about shots fired at the same house.
Officers found Etheze dead inside the home. Menkes was found outside. Officers tried to save him, and he was taken to a hospital, where he died. Robinson, who owns the house, surrendered and told officers he had shot his roommates, police said.
What Police Say Robinson Told Them
Police Chief Mike Balken said the first call came in at 4:16 p.m. about a loud argument at the home. Officers were told the fight was about someone eating someone else’s ice cream. The two roommates then left to go for a walk.
According to the police report, Robinson feared the men would try something when they came back, so he got a 12-gauge shotgun and set it on the couch. He told detectives the men returned calling themselves the “ice cream bandits,” and the argument started again. He said both men rushed at him and that Etheze had a knife. Police say a knife was recovered at the scene. The report also says Robinson admitted drinking a bottle and a half of white wine before the shooting.
“He stated he felt threatened and then fired the shotgun at Mr. Etheze multiple times,” Balken said.
Charges and the Self-Defense Claim
Robinson claims he fired in self-defense. Detectives are still looking into that claim for the shooting inside the home. The charge so far covers Menkes. Police say evidence shows Menkes ran out of the house into the front yard, where Robinson shot him in the back.
Balken said physical evidence, witness accounts and Robinson’s own statements gave detectives probable cause, meaning enough evidence to make an arrest, for one count of second-degree murder. In Florida, that charge means a killing that was not planned ahead of time. “Additional charges are possible as our investigators continue their work,” police said. Robinson was booked into the Marion County Jail, and no bond had been set as of Thursday, October 29.
A Home Police Knew Well
Officers had been called to the house three other times before Wednesday’s shooting, police said. Balken called it “a dysfunctional living arrangement.” He described Robinson as “an angry old man that had some alcohol problems.”
The chief also spoke about how small the first fight seemed. “In the end, I have a very young officer trying to calm three 60- and 70-year-old men down over ice cream,” he said.
What Happens Next
Robinson is accused, not convicted, and the case will move through the Marion County courts. Detectives are still deciding whether to bring a charge in the death of Etheze. Balken said the community is “extremely safe” and that the shooting was an isolated case. Two dogs were removed from the home and taken somewhere safe.
Sources:
wftv.com, fox6now.com, coralspringsflnews.com, wjhg.com, wesh.com, ocala.com
