Craigslist deal goes sour as suspect shot, 2 jailed

Jaylen Holmes (left), Rayquan Smith

Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office

Credit: Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office

Jaylen Holmes (left), Rayquan Smith

A victim opened fire on armed robbers as a Craigslist deal for a cellphone turned into a New Year’s Eve shooting in Gwinnett County, Channel 2 Action News reported.

When it was over, two people were arrested, one suspect was shot, the robbery victim wasn’t charged, and a car had multiple bullet holes, according to police.

“The victim in this case was an average working class citizen who wanted to sell a phone and put an ad on Craigslist,” Snellville police Detective Kevin Seay said.

About 3 p.m. in a parking lot along Scenic Highway, the robbery suspects pulled a gun on the seller and stole his phone, Channel 2 reported.

Police are not sure who shot first, but the seller, who works as a security guard, got out of his car and shot suspect Jaylen Holmes three times through his car.

Holmes was arrested after he showed up at a hospital with gunshot wounds, Channel 2 reported. He’s facing armed robbery and aggravated assault charges.

Later, police arrested his alleged accomplice, Rayquan Smith, on armed robbery and aggravated assault charges, according to Gwinnett County jail records.

Police said it’s another reminder why deals that are arranged online should be completed at police stations.

“This goes to show,” Seay said, “it can happen anywhere, at anytime, to anybody.”

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