A 69-year-old man has been arrested in Florida after he shot and killed his two roommates over an argument about ice cream, police say. Before the deadly shooting, officers had arrived at the man’s home to resolve the argument, and it seemed as though peace had been restored between the three individuals. But about an hour later, police received a call about shots being fired at that location and quickly rushed back to the scene.
Officers had arrived at the man’s home before the shooting occurred
At night on October 28, officers arrested Mark Lynn Robinson after he fatally shot his two tenants, 78-year-old Michael Samuel Menkes and 69-year-old Charles Fredick Etheze, at his home on 1027 SE Eighth Street in Ocala, Florida, according to reports from FOX 13 and Ocala StarBanner.
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken stated in a press conference on October 29 that officers had responded to a call at Robinson’s home over a verbal altercation earlier that day. He said Robinson is the owner of the home and rented rooms out to Menkes and Etheze.
Balken said, “After interviewing the three men, officers determined that the dispute really had something to do with someone eating someone else’s ice cream, if you can believe that.”
He explained the officers resolved the situation and that Menkes and Etheze had walked out of the house before they left the scene.
But after receiving calls of shots being fired at the home about an hour later, police returned to find one gunshot victim in the front yard. After they approached Robinson, he admitted that he had shot both roommates and surrendered. While clearing the home, officers found a second gunshot victim. Both Menkes and Etheze unfortunately passed away due to their injuries.
Robinson has been charged with one count of second-degree murder so far
Robinson told police that after officers left the home in their initial visit, he feared that something was going to happen when Menkes and Etheze returned. An arrest affidavit said that he acknowledged he had been “drinking prior to the incident, advising he consumed approximately a bottle and half of white wine.”
Robinson retrieved a 12-gauge shotgun from his bedroom and placed it on the couch in the living room. When both roommates came back, Robinson says a second altercation occurred and that Etheze armed himself with a knife before both individuals “rushed” toward him.
Feeling threatened, Robinson alleges he fired the shotgun at Etheze multiple times. Menkes attempted to flee from the house, but as he crossed the front yard, he was shot in the back.
Officers confirmed that Menkes was trying to flee, so along with witness testimony and Robinson’s own statements, they found probable cause to arrest him for one count of second-degree murder. Detectives continue their investigation into the double homicide, and additional charges are possible.
Melkin confirmed officers found a knife at the scene, and that Robinson is arguing self-defense for the shooting with Etheze. He said police had received three calls from the home over the past year and described the residence as a “dysfunctional living arrangement.”
“It’s clear that [Robinson] quite frankly was an ‘angry old man’ that had some alcohol problems,” Melkin said, “and can get nasty with not only his neighbors, but his tenants as well.”
According to the Ocala StarBanner, Robinson was booked at the Marion County Jail shortly after 12 a.m. on October 29. He made his first appearance in front of a judge on October 30, specifically County Judge LeAnn Mackey-Barnes via Zoom from jail. The judge denied bail for Robinson.
The Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Robinson, who will appear in court next on December 1 for arraignment. At that time, the charges he will face will be made clear.
