Landlord blasted 2 tenants with 12-gauge shotgun during dispute about eating his ice cream: Police

A 69-year-old landlord in Florida is accused of killing his two tenants, fatally shooting both men during a dispute about one of them allegedly eating his ice cream.

Mark Lynn Robinson is facing one count of second-degree murder in the slayings of Charles Etheze, 69, and Michael Menkes, 78, authorities announced.

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Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken provided a summary of the allegations against Robinson in a news conference.

According to Balken, OPD officers responded at about 4:16 p.m. on Oct. 28 to a reported “disturbance” at a home in the 1000 block of Southeast Eighth Street. When officers arrived, they met three men who lived in the home and determined that “the dispute really had to do with someone eating someone else’s ice cream, if you can believe that.”

There were no criminal violations at that time and “peace was restored” before Etheze and Menkes left the home on foot to take a walk.

“In the end, I have a very young officer trying to calm three 60- to 70-year-old men down over ice cream,” Balken said. “It’s a ridiculous situation to happen anywhere, much less in Ocala.”

About an hour later, police responded to a second call from the same address, this time regarding a report of shots being fired. Officers immediately located a man in front of the home suffering from a gunshot wound.

Robinson, the homeowner, surrendered to approaching officers “and then immediately indicated that he had just shot both of his roommates,” according to the chief.

Officers clearing the home located the second victim inside. Both men were pronounced dead shortly afterward.

“During the preliminary investigation, Robinson told our detectives that after our officers left that original disturbance call, he feared something was going to happen when they returned, so he retrieved a 12-gauge shotgun from his bedroom and placed that on the couch in the living room,” Balken said. “When his two roommates returned from the walk, he indicated that a second altercation began. He said Mr. Etheze armed himself with a knife and both individuals rushed toward him. He said that he felt threatened and then fired the shotgun at Mr. Etheze multiple times.”

Robinson also allegedly told police that when his roommates got home, one of them made a comment about being the “ice cream bandits.”

Robinson allegedly shot Menkes in the back as the older man attempted to run from the home. According to Balken, evidence showed Menkes was trying to flee the residence, which Balken said provided sufficient probable cause for the murder charge.

Balken said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges against Robinson may be filed. He added that detectives will scrutinize Robinson’s self-defense claim in the Etheze shooting.

While taking questions from reporters, Balken described Robinson as an “angry old man with some alcohol problems” who was in a “dysfunctional living arrangement.” He said officers had responded to the home three times in the last year. He added that Robinson had a tendency to “get nasty” with his roommates as well as his neighbors.

“He’s been cantankerous in the neighborhood, to say the least,” the chief said.

Balken said police believe one of the victims ate Robinson’s ice cream.

Robinson made his first appearance in court Friday. He is scheduled to appear for another hearing on Dec. 1, records show.

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