RICHMOND, Va. — A shooting during an attempted robbery at a Dollar General in South Richmond Tuesday night has renewed calls from advocates and law enforcement for people to use safe exchange zones when buying or selling items online.
Richmond Police said a teenage boy and a man agreed to meet at the Dollar General in the 2100 block of Hull Street for a sale that quickly turned violent. Crime Insider sources said the exchange was supposed to happen in the parking lot, where witnesses saw the teen pacing back and forth before the buyer arrived.
When the buyer pulled in and got out of his car, words were exchanged between the two, sources said. The teen opened fire and was then shot by the man on the ground, according to sources.
Both individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
The shooting has triggered Mike Grey to continue spreading his safety message about using safe exchange zones. Grey's son was shot to death during a Facebook sale for his iPhone eight years ago off Mechanicsville Turnpike.
"If you're going to buy or sell something ... do that in a safe place," Grey said.
Grey has been on a mission since his son's death to raise awareness with his son's face and simple reminders about using safe exchange zones. He said he's saddened to hear about the city's latest incident.
"They promote selling, well, let's promote safe exchange. I don't think it's that hard," Grey said.
Police said using a safe exchange zone certainly isn't bulletproof, but since most of them are under surveillance at precincts and substations, it's definitely a deterrent.
RPD's safe exchange zones are at 177 E. Belt Boulevard and 2219 Chamberlayne Avenue.
Grey's billboard hangs in nine states from Virginia to Missouri. He's hoping for nationwide numbers to start a conversation and save innocent lives.
"Every time there's an event, something like this, we talk about safe exchange. To me this is a year-round, this should be up in the country, all over the place, all the time," Grey said. "My goal is to put Josh's billboard up in 50 states. And with the digital billboards that are up all over, it's the click of a button and safe exchange is in people's face and it's making people ask questions."
Anyone with information about this incident in the 2100 block of Hull Street is asked to call Major Crimes Detective B. Bertsch at (804) 646-3874 or call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers methods are anonymous.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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