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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A woman was shot Sunday evening after arranging to buy some type of merchandise from someone she met online, according to Louisville Metro Police.  

That's why LMPD is again suggesting that anyone who plans to buy or sell something -- especially from someone they don't know -- to meet at one of its four MetroSWAP Zones, like the one located in LMPD's second division.

LMPD - LOUISVILLE POLICE - METROSWAP ZONE 2ND DIVISION - 11-3-2023 (3).jpeg

Signs are posted for a MetroSWAP Zone at Louisville Metro Police 2nd Division Headquarters at 3419 Bohne Avenue in Louisville, Ky. It is a safe location under surveillance to exchange items being bought and sold online. (WDRB Image by Dalton Godbey) Nov. 3, 2023

The MetroSWAP zones include parking spots with signs that are under 24-hour video surveillance in well-lit areas within LMPD divisions. 

It was about 6:30 Sunday night when police got a call about a shooting. LMPD said a woman was shot in the arm, and she told police she and another woman met with an unidentified man to buy some merchandise from him when it turned into an attempted robbery and shooting.

According to police, the shooting happened in the 4200 block of Greenwood Avenue and the woman fled and called 911. Police met her nearby on South 45th Street.

The woman, who has not been identified, was taken to UofL Hospital and is "expected to make a full recovery."

Investigators are not revealing what the merchandise was. 

"I do know there was an agreement to meet in an area to exchange merchandise for money, I presume," said LMPD spokesperson John Bradley. "And of course that's when it didn't quite go as planned. My understanding is the two ladies sped off and the perpetrator in this case did fire a gun at them and hit one of the ladies."

Bradley noted that investigators are still working on this case.

"It's too soon for us to say the person the victim communicated with, is in fact, the person who robbed her," Bradley said. 

So far, no arrests have been made in the shooting. According to police, the suspect is described as a thin, Black man, around 5'8", wearing a turquoise hoodie and black pants. He was last seen in the area of 42nd Street and Greenwood Avenue.

Bradley said he believes crimes like these probably happen more often than they are reported, and he urges residents to take advantage of the four MetroSWAP Zones around the city, as well as report these incidents to police.

"Especially, if you are engaging in some sort of transaction where your hope is to meet that person and you don't know them, pick a place that makes sense to meet that will offer the greatest degree of safety," said Bradley. 

He offered these tips:

  • Meet during daylight hours, if possible
  • Make the interactions brief 
  • Avoid using cash

"If you're agreeing to meet with someone you don't know -- to either bring them money or goods and they're saying they're going to bring you money -- if they are hesitant to meet you in a safe area, be very wary of this transaction," he added.

Below is a list of the four MetroSWAP locations at LMPD Division offices:

"Even if it isn't a published MetroSWAP Zone, nothing should prevent you from deciding that, 'Hey, the 5th division parking lot looks like a good, safe place as well, even though it's not one of the listed MetroSWAP Zones,'" said Bradley.  

In the past, LMPD has said the MetroSWAP locations can also be used to exchange custody of a child between parents or guardians, when necessary.

To learn more about the MetroSWAP locations, click here. 

Anyone with information about Sunday's shooting is asked to call LMPD's anonymous tip line at 502-547-LMPD (574-5673).

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