AMHERST COUNTY, Va. (WSET) – A Facebook Marketplace sale turned violent over the weekend after a dirt bike seller was shot during an attempted robbery, according to the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say Zion Morgan and an unidentified minor arranged to meet the seller to purchase a dirt bike listed on the platform. During the meeting, Morgan allegedly drove off with the bike.
The seller later tracked down the suspects near Kings Road and confronted them. During the confrontation, officials say the minor shot the seller in the abdomen. The victim was rushed to Lynchburg General Hospital with serious injuries.
Both suspects were apprehended without incident around 6:34 p.m.
Morgan was charged with robbery and is currently being held at the Amherst County Adult Detention Center.
The minor was charged with malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and robbery. He is being held at the Lynchburg Juvenile Detention Center.
Sheriff Ayers of Amherst County warned the public about the dangers of online sales:
“When you do online sales, a lot of times you’re inviting individuals that you absolutely have no knowledge of… It’s best to meet in a public location like the Sheriff’s Office.”
The investigation is ongoing.
