Had to Kill Someone to Save His Family": Driver Allegedly Opens Fire on Parents, Toddler

Had to Kill Someone to Save His Family": Driver Allegedly Opens Fire on Parents, Toddler
Oxygen True Crime ^ | February 18, 2026 | Elise Sole

Posted on 03/12/2026 11:11:57 AM PDT by Pontiac

A man allegedly drove his car into a family on an evening walk, then opened fire, killing a 3-year-old child in the process.

On Feb. 17, Alexander Lamar Banks, 21, was arraigned on one count of first-degree premeditated murder, three counts of assault with intent to murder, four counts of felony firearm, one count of possession of a dangerous weapon w/unlawful intent and one charge of possession of loaded firearm in vehicle, according to a press release from the Eaton County authorities in Michigan.

A couple and their 3-year-old daughter, whom they pulled along in a pink wagon, were walking in Delta Township on Feb. 13, when tragedy struck.

Banks, driving at a high speed, allegedly swerved off the road, according to neighborhood camera footage cited in the affidavit of probable cause obtained by Oxygen.com, and hit the family. The mother was thrown forward, while the father and child fell. The car continued, per the affidavit, hitting a structure before coming to a stop.

Per the affidavit, the mother then ran toward her husband and child, while Banks raised a shotgun. Banks allegedly recorded shooting all three family members, then ran back to his bag and reloaded his weapon, according to the footage. The footage allegedly showed him running back to the family and shooting the man at close range. The mother told detectives that Banks also punched her husband while she tried to intervene, however she said Banks pulled her hair, “as if he was trying to break her neck.”

A 72-year-old neighbor, identified by the mother, ran toward Banks, according to the affidavit, who struck her with the shotgun, then repeatedly beat her with it.

Banks allegedly dropped the gun and ran off, jumping a fence to get away.

Police found all four victims lying on the front lawn of a home, with the child pronounced dead on the scene, according to a separate press release from the Eaton County Sheriff’s Department.

The parents were hospitalized in stable condition while the neighbor remains in critical condition.

Banks claimed he had been receiving online threats, according to a police interview cited in the affidavit, “and people were telling him he had to kill someone to save his family.”

Banks told police that on Feb. 13, he took his father’s shotgun and drove around the block a few times before spotting the family. He admitted to hitting them with his car, while intentionally aiming for the dad, and shooting at the family.

He also confessed, per the affidavit, to beating the father with the shotgun before the neighbor intervened. Banks said that afterward, he dropped the gun and fled.

Detectives found Banks’ shotgun in the front yard of a home, per the affidavit, with human hair and flesh stuck in the muzzle.

Banks may not have been in the right state of mind during his police confession, defense attorney William Amadeo told Oxygen.com.

“I think there were some mental health issues present,” said Amadeo, adding that, to his knowledge, Banks’ family was not under any threat that could have motivated his alleged actions.

“His parents are horrified and scared for their son,” Amadeo said, calling the child’s death a tragedy. “They’re grieving for the victims.”

Banks was denied bond and he pleaded not guilty. The court, according to the county press release, also ordered Banks to undergo a competency evaluation at the Center for Forensic Psychology.

His next court appearance is scheduled for April 20. A 72-year-old neighbor, identified by the mother, ran toward Banks, according to the affidavit, who struck her with the shotgun, then repeatedly beat her with it.