44-year-old James Beck, of Tampa, Florida, was killed this past Tuesday after trying to sell his 16-year-old son’s dirt bike on craigslist. Beck and his son met a pair of individuals when one of them opened fire on Beck, striking him twice in the neck. The two suspects then ran off with the dirt bike. Beck unfortunately died on the scene from his injuries right in front of his son.
Police have arrested 16-year-old Ramontrae Williams and 17-year-old Dontae Johnson, and charged them with first-degree felony murder and robbery.
A GoFundMe has been set up by Beck’s family in order to pay for funeral and other expenses.
Sadly, I don’t have much else to add here. Craigslist should be considered too dangerous for anyone to use anymore. While you, the reader, may have found the perfect deal on craigslist, and have never had a problem, the number of people killed through craigslist is now in the triple digits. Craigslist has become nothing more than a dangerous game of Russian Roulette, and too many people are becoming victims to a deadly game that they don’t even realize they’re playing.
UPDATE 2/27/2017: Last week, a grand jury indicted both teens, and they will be tried as adults.
UPDATE 3/2/2017: Williams has been denied bond.
UPDATE 10/28/2020: Last week, Williams pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to 10 years behind bars. As part of his plea agreement, he will testify against Johnson.
UPDATE 7/12/21: Late last month, Johnson was convicted of first-degree murder. He is facing a potential life sentence.
UPDATE 7/30/21: Johnson was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
