Man killed after responding to a Craigslist iPhone 6 ad, police say
Technically Incorrect: A Georgia chemistry student replied to a Craigslist ad that turned out to be fake. It led, police say, to his death when he met the alleged sellers.
Technically Incorrect offers a slightly twisted take on the tech that's taken over our lives.
On Monday, James Jones Jr. replied to an ad on Craigslist offering to sell an iPhone 6.
It led, police say, to him being shot dead in Marietta, Ga.
As ABC News reports, police say he was shot in his car after he traveled there from Clark Atlanta University, where he was studying chemistry.
David Baldwin, a Marietta police officer, told ABC News: "It was an illegitimate ad he was responding to, and he did not know the sellers. The ad was posted in the hopes to lure somebody in, but obviously the victim didn't know that."
He also told WBTV-TV: "As the victim approached Jamaica Cove and entered in to meet with the sellers for the iPhone, the suspects then robbed, shot and killed him right at the scene."
Kaylnn Ruthenberg, 21, Jordan Baker, 18 and Jonathon Myles, 19, have all been arrested on charges of felony murder, aggravated assault and armed robbery.
I have contacted Craigslist for comment and will update, should I hear. The company's personal safety guidelines explain the precautions that need to be taken when buying or selling through the site.
It tells users to meet in a public place, to not meet anywhere secluded and to not invite strangers into their homes.
Additionally, it suggests extra care if the item involved is expensive. Moreover, it might be better not to go alone or at least to tell someone where you're going and have your cell phone with you. Finally, just trust your instincts.
This is the second Craigslist-related murder in Georgia in the last couple of weeks. In the first, Elrey and June Runion were both found murdered, after they'd traveled to meet the prospective seller of a car that had been advertised on the site.