Kim Chambliss and Val Delacruz, Riverview, Florida couple followed home, ambushed, robbed after winning $3K casino jackpot from Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Arrested are Marcus Jenkins and Tristin Wright who had been watching winning couple earlier that evening.
A Riverview, Florida couple have told of fearing for their lives, after they were followed home, shot at and robbed after winning a large casino jackpot earlier this week.
Kim Chambliss and her boyfriend Val Delacruz had just arrived home after visiting Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, Florida, when they were ambushed in their driveway by violent robbers who surrounded their car and demanded money. The incident was captured on Ring doorbell video.
Chambliss said she ‘screamed and cried’ as she thought her boyfriend had been killed. She explained: ‘I hear another gunshot and my first thought was ‘they’ve killed him.’ I was hysterical, I screamed and cried.’
NEW: Florida couple ambushed and shot after being followed home after winning $3000 at the Hard Rock Casino.
The incident happened when the couple returned home from a date night.
The two men had followed Kim Chambliss and her boyfriend, Val Delacruz from the Seminole Hard… pic.twitter.com/wQq7QaMCms
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 15, 2024
Couple blind-sighted by bandits who followed them home from casino
Her boyfriend Delacruz told Fox 13: ‘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, who was shot in both legs, was captured on doorbell video pleading with the suspects until a neighbor came outside, leading to the robbers fleeing and driving away.
After the incident, Hillsborough County deputies arrested Marcus Jenkins, 34, and Tristin Wright, 36. The suspects were tracked down and arrested after investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the casino.
The pair were allegedly seen on CCTV watching the couple at the casino for two hours before following them as they headed to their home in Riverview just on 5am.
Delacruz said he was ‘dancing’ after winning the jackpot at the casino, and the pair cashed out with about $3,000 before driving home. Offered the boyfriend: ‘I’m normally aware of my surroundings or would notice if someone was following me. But that night, we were in deep conversation.’
Long road to recovery ahead
Chambliss who ended up being shot in the back of the leg, described the incident as ‘scary’, saying: ‘We’re just average people, you know, who are out having a good time, you know, 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.’
Recalled Delacrux, ‘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.’
The couple also credited deputies with saving Delacruz’s life as they quickly applied a tourniquet on his wound on his right thigh. Delacruz said he lost ‘so much blood’ and ‘wouldn’t have made it’ without the help of emergency services.
Doctors estimate it could take six months for Delacrux to recuperate and for now is unable to walk. The couple said the suspects fled with their winnings, Delacruz’s watch and jewelry as well as Chambliss’ purse.
Arrests made as victimized couple live in fear
Chambliss said they are now feeling insecure despite previously feeling safe in their neighborhood. Investigators are still working to identify a third suspect.
Jenkins faces a number of charges including attempted first degree murder, but Wright, who was allegedly the driver, faces other charges including principal to attempted murder. Following the incident, Chambliss and Velacruz have set up a fundraiser to help them cover with their expenses due to being unable to work and also to pay for their mounting medical bills.
The fundraiser has a target of $10,000 and so far, the couple managed to raise $4,620.
