Facebook Marketplace Deal Ends in Fatal Shooting in Antioch

A Venezuelan man was killed while attempting to purchase a car through a Facebook Marketplace transaction.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Alexander Sanchez-Montilla, a 41-year-old Venezuelan man, was shot and killed during a Facebook Marketplace transaction gone wrong in Antioch, Tennessee. Police say the incident occurred at a home on Winton Drive, where Montilla was attempting to buy a car. He was rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries. Montilla's cousin Alejandro described him as a hardworking and selfless person who regularly sent money and supplies back to his family in Venezuela. The police are still investigating the incident and have not named any suspects yet.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the risks involved with in-person transactions arranged through online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace. While these platforms can provide convenient ways for people to buy and sell items, they also create opportunities for criminals to target unsuspecting victims. The case has also raised concerns about public safety in the Antioch area, which has seen an uptick in violent crime in recent years.

The details

According to police, Alexander Sanchez-Montilla was shot in the legs at a home on Winton Drive while attempting to purchase a car he had found listed on Facebook Marketplace. Montilla was rushed to the hospital but died from his injuries. Investigators say the home where the shooting occurred was not abandoned, but they have not named any suspects in the case so far. Montilla's cousin Alejandro described him as a hardworking and generous person who regularly sent money and supplies back to his family in Venezuela.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Alexander Sanchez-Montilla

A 41-year-old Venezuelan man who was killed during a Facebook Marketplace transaction gone wrong.

Alejandro

Montilla's cousin, who described him as a hardworking and generous person.

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What they’re saying

“I was really, really shocked...I was just started crying and I just really felt like a, a hole in my stomach.”

— Alejandro, Montilla's cousin (wsmv.com)

“He was just really focused on just hustle, like working in, with solar panels, Uber, you name it, electrician...a real person that, is battling to just to, to have a better quality of living and just to provide for his family and whatever family member that he could help.”

— Alejandro, Montilla's cousin (wsmv.com)

“I would say that really a person that, let's say selfless, very given...at times he would send us, clothing, whatever he would be able to buy or whatever. Never, we didn't even ask him for anything.”

— Alejandro, Montilla's cousin (wsmv.com)

What’s next

The police are continuing their investigation into the shooting and are not ruling out any possibilities as they search for the suspect. The family is working to repatriate Montilla's body to Venezuela and seeking justice for his death.

The takeaway

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers involved with in-person transactions arranged through online marketplaces. While these platforms can provide convenient ways for people to buy and sell items, they also create opportunities for criminals to target unsuspecting victims. The case has also raised concerns about public safety in the Antioch area, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address violent crime in the community.