Daniel Carlos, a 32-year-old resident of Redwood City, California, tragically lost his life on November 18, 2017, in San Leandro. The incident occurred during a cellphone transaction arranged through the online app Letgo. Carlos had gone to a 76 gas station located at East 14th Street and 159th Avenue in unincorporated San Leandro to sell his used iPhone. The transaction, which took place in broad daylight around 1:15 p.m., turned fatal when Carlos was shot during the meeting.
Despite taking precautions by choosing a busy location and meeting during the day, the suspect fled the scene immediately after the shooting, leaving Carlos fatally wounded. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office quickly launched an investigation into the murder. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses was reviewed, and several leads were pursued. The investigation revealed that Carlos had been robbed of his phone before being shot. The tragic event highlighted the dangers associated with online transactions and prompted authorities to emphasize the importance of using designated "safe-exchange zones" for such meetings.
On December 5, 2017, authorities made significant progress in the case by arresting two suspects: Jordan Patton, 18, of San Francisco, and Marcus Fortune, 18, of San Leandro. Both were charged with the murder of Daniel Carlos. According to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, the suspects had arranged to meet Carlos under the pretense of buying his iPhone but instead robbed and shot him. The arrests brought some measure of relief to Carlos's family, who had been grappling with the sudden and violent loss of a husband and father. Carlos left behind a wife and a 5-year-old daughter, and a GoFundMe account was set up to support his family during this difficult time.
The case against Patton and Fortune proceeded through the legal system, with both facing serious charges related to the murder. The incident served as a grim reminder of the potential risks involved in online transactions and the importance of taking all possible precautions to ensure personal safety. The community mourned the loss of Daniel Carlos, a man who had been trying to make some extra money for his family during a period of unemployment, only to have his life cut short in a senseless act of violence.
