Posted on: August 14, 2024, 07:19h.
Last updated on: August 14, 2024, 10:04h.
A Florida couple has launched a fundraiser after they got robbed and wounded just hours after winning about $3,000 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
The two victims, Kim Chambliss and her boyfriend, Val Delacruz, went out on August 1 for their monthly date night. It started off with dinner and some drinks before they went to try their luck on the casino floor.
“I hit and I got a jackpot,” Delacruz recently told Tampa TV station WTVT.
That night he broke out in a joyful dance. After collecting the payout, they decided to go home. They drove back to their Riverview, Fla. residence.
They didn’t realize two men had been watching them for about two hours at the casino and followed them as they drove the 14 miles back home.
When the couple got out of their car into the driveway, they were allegedly ambushed by two masked, armed robbers.
Shot in Legs
At least three gunshots rang out. Delacruz was wounded in both legs as he pleaded for his life. Chambliss was wounded in her calf. She began to yell for help as she made her way to the front porch. Delacruz crawled up to the porch to protect her.
The robbers continued their violent attack. One even covered a Ring doorbell camera to shield his identity.
Soon, the commotion was heard by a neighbor who came to help. That led the two robbers to flee. The bandits grabbed a watch, assorted jewelry, and a purse before driving off. It’s not clear if they snatched the cash.
The local sheriff’s office was alerted. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies quickly arrived and put a tourniquet on Delacruz. He credits them with saving his life.
“I lost so much blood, if they didn’t do that, I wouldn’t have made it,” Delacruz said.
Attempted Murder
Deputies later arrested two suspects in the case, Marcus Jenkins and Tristan Wright.
Jenkins was charged with attempted first-degree murder and other counts. Wright was charged with principal to attempted murder and other crimes. A third suspect is being sought.
If convicted on an attempted murder count, both defendants could face prison sentences.
The violence is still fresh in the victims’ memories.
Chambliss recalled how she heard gunfire. “I hear another gunshot and my first thought was they’ve killed him. I was hysterical, I screamed and cried.”
“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 added.
“I’m normally aware of my surroundings or would notice if someone was following me. But that night, we were in deep conversation,” Delacruz remembered.
Now, he has painful injuries and it’s hard for him to sleep. He must use a walker and one of his legs is in a cast. He can’t walk and healing may take six months or more.
Self-employed, he’s been unable to work. They organized a GoFundMe fundraiser. As of Wednesday, $3,360 was raised. The goal is $10K. The money will help with medical costs and other bills which have led to a “financial crisis.”
“I am a survivor of a senseless act of violence that changed my life forever,” Delacruz said on the GoFundMe page.
On August 02, I became a victim of a random robbery that resulted in me sustaining multiple gunshot wounds. The physical and emotional scars from that day will always remain with me.”
“We’re just average people … who are out having a good time, … who love each other and enjoying each other’s company. 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,” Chambliss said.
