Man robbed, fatally shot during online sales transaction

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A man died in a shooting Friday night when an online sales transaction turned into a robbery. 

Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called to the Hampton Court Apartments, just off 75th Place and Ditch Road, on a report of a possible person shot, around 6:30 p.m.

Police at the scene said the victim met two people at the apartments to sell an electronic device. The people robbed him, and as he chased them, he was shot in the eye.

Ben Rodgers lives in the apartment complex and said he called 911. He said he heard six shots fired. 

“To hear six shots somebody is trying to kill somebody,” he said.

IMPD said a woman who happened to be a paramedic was helping as police arrived. 

He was taken to St. Vincent Hospital in critical condition, but died there, according to police at the scene. 

Police say a witness is cooperating with them.

IMPD said there have been a string of robberies from e-commerce exchanges in recent weeks around the north side. None of them were shootings. 

In December, IMPD established e-commerce exchange zones at police headquarters across the city: 

• North District Headquarters –  3120 E. 30th St. 
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  Reserved Parking Available 24 Hours in the north parking lot
• East District Headquarters – 201 N. Shadeland Ave.
  Reserved Parking Available 24 Hours outside Door #1
• Southeast District Headquarters – 1150 S. Shelby St.
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  *Parking is limited due to construction in the area.*
• Southwest District Headquarters –  551 N. King St. 
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  Reserved Parking Available 24 Hours
• Northwest District Headquarters –  3821 Industrial Blvd 
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  *Parking is limited.  Do not park on the main drive on the north side of the building. *
• Downtown District Headquarters – 39 W. Jackson Place Suite 500
  Lobby Open Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Closed Holidays)
  *Parking is limited to metered parking spots near the building. *