(DailyChive.com) – A tragic incident unfolded in Dallas, Texas, when a 66-year-old man was fatally shot while trying to sell a cellphone through Facebook Marketplace. The suspect, 19-year-old Amaya Medrano, has been charged with capital murder, according to the Dallas Police Department.
Police identified the victim as Ahmad Alkhalaf, whose body was discovered on November 8 at a gas station in the Oak Cliff neighborhood. Officers responded to reports of a shooting around 3 p.m. on South Marsalis Avenue. When they arrived, they found Alkhalaf lying next to his truck. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries.
Authorities say Alkhalaf had arranged to meet someone interested in buying an iPhone 15 he listed on Facebook Marketplace. Surveillance video shows a brief exchange between the victim and the suspect before the suspect suddenly pulled out a gun, shot Alkhalaf, and fled the scene.
Medrano was identified as the suspect after investigators noted her distinctive face and neck tattoos in the footage. The stolen phone was later traced to the same Facebook account that had contacted Alkhalaf. Police arrested Medrano days later.
Court records reveal that Medrano has a history of violent crime. In 2023, she pleaded guilty to stabbing someone and was serving a five-year probation sentence at the time of the shooting. She is now being held in the Dallas County Jail with her bond set at $1 million.
This tragic case underscores the risks of online transactions. While platforms like Facebook Marketplace make buying and selling items convenient, they also come with dangers. Authorities advise meeting in well-lit, public places such as police stations or designated safe exchange zones.
The Dallas Police Department continues to investigate this case. They are urging anyone with information to call 214-671-4095.
This senseless act of violence has left a community grieving and serves as a reminder to take precautions when meeting strangers for any kind of transaction.
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