Tempe, Arizona—A 19-year-old man was fatally shot during an online sale exchange at Tempe Marketplace early Monday morning. Authorities have identified the victim as Dominic Baysinger, who was meeting a suspect in the shopping center’s parking lot when he was attacked. His girlfriend was present during the incident but thankfully was unhurt.
The shooting unfolded quickly, with the suspect fleeing the scene shortly thereafter, according to Jessica Ells of the Tempe Police Department. Detectives recovered a firearm at the location, though it remains unclear if it was the one used in the shooting. “Ballistics testing will be necessary to determine if that was the weapon involved,” said Ells.
While police have yet to reveal specifics about the item being sold, Ells emphasized that the transaction was not illicit. “We can confirm that this incident did not involve drugs or illegal activity,” she stated. The nature of the item has not been disclosed.
As authorities secured the scene, shoppers sought safety and awaited updates on the situation. This incident followed another shooting in the area just hours prior, which delayed public communication about the shooting at Tempe Marketplace. Ells noted that the overlap of two significant incidents contributed to the challenges in providing timely information. “It was just a very sad, coincidental situation,” she remarked.
Despite the chaos, police assured the public that there was no ongoing threat, as they confirmed the shooter had fled. Investigators are diligently pursuing leads in the case. “We are confident that we will reach a resolution soon,” Ells added.
During this holiday season, police anticipate an increase in meet-ups for online sales, prompting warnings to the public regarding safety. Individuals are advised to conduct transactions in well-lit public spaces and to bring someone along, advice that Baysinger had reportedly followed.
Additionally, Ells flagged potential warning signs to consider when engaging in online sales, such as sellers with multiple accounts, minimal reviews, or erratic meeting locations. Meeting at a police station is recommended as a safe alternative for such transactions.
As the community processes this tragedy, local law enforcement continues to work diligently to bring the suspect to justice and encourage safe practices for future online exchanges.