RIVERVIEW, FL – What began as a joyous night for a Riverview couple quickly turned into a nightmare when they were followed home from the Hard Rock Casino and violently attacked in their driveway. The couple, who had just won $3,000, were ambushed by masked men demanding money.
Val De La Cruz and Kim Chambliss were both shot in their legs during the assault. De La Cruz, who was hit in both legs, begged for mercy as the attackers stood over him with guns. The horrifying event was captured on a neighbor’s Ring doorbell camera, which showed the men fleeing when a neighbor intervened.
The evening had started as a rare date night for the couple, who enjoyed a meal and drinks before heading to the casino. De La Cruz’s jackpot win was supposed to be the highlight of their night, but they were unaware that Marcus Jenkins and Tristan Wright had been watching them and followed them home.
The assailants robbed De La Cruz of his watch and jewelry and took Chambliss’s purse. The couple, who had always felt secure in their neighborhood, now feel a deep sense of fear and vulnerability. The attack has not only left them with physical injuries but also emotional scars.
De La Cruz, a business owner, is now struggling with medical bills and is unable to work. The couple has launched a fundraiser to help cover their expenses. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continues to search for a third suspect involved in the crime. Jenkins and Wright are in custody and face several charges.