🚨 FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE NIGHTMARE: A simple car-buying meetup turns into a BLOODBATH – 41-year-old dad Alexander Sánchez-Montilla steps into a garage in Antioch, Nashville… hears gunshots inside… bolts out bleeding from BOTH LEGS! 😱🔫💔

His friend waiting outside watches in horror as Alexander runs for his life after 6 p.m. Thursday. He calls 911 from the car on I-24, rushed to hospital, airlifted… but dies early Friday morning.

Just trying to buy a vehicle off Facebook Marketplace. Now police hunt for the shooter in what they call a “transaction gone wrong.” Was it a setup? Robbery? Or something darker?

No suspect named yet after early leads fell through. Family devastated – another life lost over an online deal.

Chilling details: He went into the garage alone, shots rang out, he fled wounded. Warnings flood in: NEVER go alone to these meetups!

Click the link NOW before you or someone you love becomes the next victim. This is REAL danger in everyday online sales. Don’t ignore it. 🩸🚗

A 41-year-old man was fatally shot Thursday evening after meeting someone to buy a vehicle listed on Facebook Marketplace, in what Metro Nashville Police describe as a “transaction gone wrong” at a residence in the Antioch area.

The victim, identified as Alexander E. Sanchez-Montilla, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to both legs around 6 p.m. on February 12, 2026, at a home on Winton Drive. He was driven from the scene by a friend, called 911 en route, and was initially taken to TriStar Stonecrest Medical Center in Smyrna. He was later airlifted to TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, where he succumbed to his injuries early Friday morning, February 13.

Metro Nashville Police Department homicide detectives are leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Preliminary findings indicate Sanchez-Montilla arrived at the address to purchase a car advertised on Facebook Marketplace. Accompanied by a friend who remained outside, Sanchez-Montilla entered the garage of the residence for several minutes. Gunshots were heard from inside, prompting him to flee the garage while being targeted by gunfire as he ran toward his waiting friend.

The friend reported hearing the shots and seeing Sanchez-Montilla emerge wounded. No arrests have been made as of late February 2026, though early in the probe, police identified and sought 21-year-old Jonathan A. Gonzalez in connection with the incident. Warrants were issued charging him with attempted criminal homicide (later upgraded to criminal homicide following the victim’s death), felony reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, use of a firearm in a dangerous felony, and vandalism. However, authorities later rescinded those warrants after determining Gonzalez had an alibi and was cleared as a suspect.

Investigators continue pursuing leads, with no public details released on a current person of interest or motive. Police have emphasized that the home was not abandoned and described the event as stemming from a legitimate online sales meeting that escalated violently.

The incident highlights growing concerns over safety during in-person transactions arranged through online platforms like Facebook Marketplace. Such meetups have increasingly been linked to robberies, assaults, and homicides nationwide, often involving cash exchanges for high-value items like vehicles. Authorities frequently advise buyers and sellers to meet in public, well-lit locations—such as police station parking lots—during daylight hours, bring a companion, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

In this case, the exchange occurred at a private residence after dark, though exact arrangements between Sanchez-Montilla and the seller remain under review. No information has been released about whether cash was involved or if the vehicle listing played a role in luring the victim.

Sanchez-Montilla, originally from Venezuela according to some reports, was described in community accounts as a hardworking individual seeking a reliable vehicle. His death has prompted an outpouring of condolences online and locally, with calls for greater vigilance in online marketplaces.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department issued statements urging caution: “Transactions like these can turn dangerous quickly. Always prioritize personal safety.” Similar warnings have come from Facebook (now Meta), which promotes safety tips on its Marketplace help pages, including verifying seller profiles, using secure payment methods when possible, and reporting suspicious activity.

This is not an isolated incident in the Nashville area or nationally. Recent years have seen a rise in crimes tied to Facebook Marketplace, including armed robberies during phone or electronics sales, fake listings used as bait, and disputes escalating to violence. In Tennessee alone, similar cases have involved shootings and stabbings during meetups for cars, furniture, and other goods.

Experts on online safety recommend several precautions: research the seller through social media checks, insist on video calls or public previews, use apps with built-in shipping for smaller items, and never enter private homes or secluded areas alone. Law enforcement in many jurisdictions offers “safe exchange zones” at precincts equipped with cameras and lighting.

The Antioch neighborhood where the shooting occurred is a suburban area southeast of downtown Nashville, known for family homes and commuter access. Winton Drive residents expressed shock over the violence at a seemingly ordinary residence, with some noting increased police presence in the days following.

As the homicide unit pursues leads, including potential surveillance footage, witness statements, and digital records from the Facebook listing, the case remains active. No charges have been filed, and police have not ruled out robbery, a dispute over the vehicle, or other factors.

The tragedy has reignited broader discussions about the risks of peer-to-peer online sales. Consumer advocates and law enforcement urge platforms to enhance verification processes, such as requiring more identity checks for high-value listings or flagging patterns of suspicious activity.

For Sanchez-Montilla’s loved ones, the loss is profound—a routine errand to secure transportation ending in unimaginable violence. Community members have shared messages of support, highlighting the need for empathy amid grief and calls for justice.

Metro Nashville Police continue to ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 or the homicide unit directly. Tips can remain anonymous, with potential rewards offered.

This case serves as a somber reminder that while online marketplaces provide convenience and access, they also carry real-world dangers. As investigators work to uncover what transpired in that Antioch garage, the message to the public is clear: Proceed with extreme caution when meeting strangers for transactions.