DALLAS, TX – A 19-year-old woman is facing capital murder charges following the fatal shooting of a man during a phone sale arranged through Facebook Marketplace. The incident, which occurred near a bustling Dallas intersection, has left a family mourning the loss of their patriarch and raised concerns about safety in digital transactions.
Ahmad Al-Khalaf, 66, was gunned down on a Friday afternoon, just steps away from an elementary school and a busy freeway. Described as a devoted husband and father from Sachse, Al-Khalaf’s life was tragically cut short outside an Oak Cliff gas station. The shooting took place as students were leaving Felix G. Botello Elementary School, adding to the community’s shock.
According to court documents, two school district police officers were the first responders to the scene. They found Al-Khalaf suffering from gunshot wounds beside his pickup truck. Despite efforts to save him, Al-Khalaf succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital.
Investigators revealed that Al-Khalaf had arranged to sell a black iPhone 15 to a buyer he met through Facebook Marketplace. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses captured the brief interaction between Al-Khalaf and the alleged shooter, Amaya Medrano. The video shows Medrano fleeing the scene, with Al-Khalaf in pursuit, before she turned and fired multiple shots.
The arrest affidavit highlights how detectives identified Medrano through distinctive tattoos visible on her social media profiles. Remarkably, just three days after the shooting, the same Facebook account used to communicate with Al-Khalaf was advertising an iPhone 15 for sale.
Authorities announced that Medrano was apprehended by U.S. Marshals and is currently detained in the Dallas County Jail. Al-Khalaf’s family expressed their devastation, describing him as a humble and hardworking man who supported his loved ones both locally and abroad.
Court records indicate that Medrano was on probation for aggravated assault after admitting to a stabbing incident last year. This history of violence adds a troubling layer to the current charges she faces.
The case has sparked a broader conversation about the risks associated with online marketplaces and the importance of exercising caution when meeting strangers for transactions. Al-Khalaf’s death serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers lurking in these seemingly routine exchanges.