A couple from Florida thought they had caught a break by winning $3K at a casino in Florida. But it seems that luck wasn't on their side after all, as two men caught up to them and ambushed them, shooting them on the legs and robbing them. The attackers also made off with jewelry and other valuables. The couple have decided to set up a GoFundMe page to recover some of their losses.

A couple from Tampa has initiated a fundraising activity after a terrifying robbery left them wounded, mere hours after winning approximately $3,000 at Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The incident, which occurred on August 1, has left the victims, Kim Chambliss and Val Delacruz, grappling with physical injuries and emotional trauma.

Date night culminating in violence

The couple had planned a relaxing evening, part of their date night ritual, which they plan each month. They started the night with dinner and drinks, eventually making their way to the casino floor, where Delacruz hit a jackpot. The couple, filled with excitement, collected their winnings and decided to head back to their Riverview, Florida, home. What they didn't know was that two men had been watching them closely for around two hours while at the casino and had tailed them on their 14-mile journey home.

As Chambliss and Delacruz stepped out of their car in their driveway, they were ambushed by two masked men wielding guns. The robbers, later identified as Tristan Wright and Marcus Jenkins, allegedly unleashed a violent assault on the couple. At least three gunshots were fired during the attack. Delacruz was struck in both his legs, while Chambliss was shot in the calf. Despite her injuries, Chambliss managed to scream for help and struggled to make her way to the front porch of the house, with Delacruz crawling behind her in an attempt to protect her.

Neighbor alerted to shots, cry for help

The robbers continued their assault, with one of them even covering the couple's doorbell camera in an effort to conceal their identities. The violence only subsided when a neighbor, alerted by the commotion, came to assist the couple, prompting the robbers to flee. The assailants made off with assorted jewelry, a purse, and a watch. It remains unclear whether they were able to take the cash the couple had won at the casino.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was quickly notified of the incident. Deputies arrived promptly at the scene and applied a tourniquet to Delacruz's legs, a lifesaving measure that Delacruz credits with preventing him from bleeding to death. "I lost so much blood, if they didn't do that, I wouldn't have made it," Delacruz recounted.

Two men arrested and charged

In the days following the attack, authorities arrested Tristan Wright and Marcus Jenkins in connection with the robbery. Jenkins faces charges of first-degree attempted murder and other related crimes, while Wright has been charged as a principal to the murder attempt, among other offenses. A third suspect is still being sought by law enforcement. If convicted of attempted murder, Jenkins and Wright could face lengthy jail sentences.

The ordeal has left Chambliss and Delacruz deeply shaken. Chambliss vividly recalled the horrifying moments when gunfire rang out, fearing that her boyfriend had been killed. Delacruz, now suffering from painful injuries, reflected on the incident, expressing disbelief that they had been followed without their knowledge. "I'm normally aware of my surroundings or would notice if someone was following me. But that night, we were in deep conversation," he said.

A fundraiser to help with rising medical costs and other expenses

Delacruz's injuries have severely impacted his ability to work. As a self-employed individual, he now faces months of recovery, relying on a walker, with one leg encased in a cast. The couple, struggling with mounting medical bills and other expenses, has turned to the community for support. They have launched a GoFundMe campaign, which had already raised $3,360 towards a $10,000 goal as of last Wednesday. The funds are intended to cover medical costs and help them navigate the financial crisis caused by the attack.

On the GoFundMe page, Delacruz shared his emotional journey, stating, "I am a survivor of a senseless act of violence that changed my life forever. The physical and emotional scars from that day will always remain with me."

Chambliss echoed his sentiments, emphasizing the terrifying reality that they were unsuspecting targets. "We're just average people... who are out having a good time,... who love each other and enjoy 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," she emphasized.

The couple's story serves as a glaring reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of vigilance, even in moments of celebration. As they work to recover from this life-altering event, they hope that their experience will resonate with others and inspire support from their community.