Man shot during online sale exchange in southwest Fresno, police searching for suspect

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An online meet up took a turn for the worst.

A man is fighting for his life after police say he planned to sell some property in southwest Fresno and was shot.

"You're putting something up for sale and have no idea who this person is that you're going to meet," said Fresno Police Lt. Carl McKnight.

Police and paramedics found the victim, a man in his 30s, with a single gunshot wound to the chest at this Valero gas station off Elm and Jensen Avenue.

They say before receiving the 911 call around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the victim arranged to meet with the suspect at a different location to sell some property.

"He came over to sell an item off one of these apps where you can post items for sale, met with a guy, unknown what happened. He got shot," McKnight said.

Investigators now believe the shooting happened near Annadale and MLK Jr Boulevard.

After he was shot, they say the injured man got in his car and drove to the nearest place he could find help.

"He sees a car wash, pulls in immediately, and says I've been shot," McKnight said.

The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition, and the suspect remains on the run.

Police say this should serve as a scary reminder to stay cautious, and find safe places to meet up for exchanges.

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"At each one of our five police district substations, we have about the area right in front of our substations for a safe exchange," McKnight said. "So if you're going to buy something off Craigslist, LetGo, to any of these apps. You're better off using one of these safe exchange stations."

At this point, police have only told Action News that the suspect is described as a younger man with dreadlocks.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Fresno Police Department.