The teenager from Sylacauga, Alabama, claimed he shot a man after getting into a truck for an online date and discovering the driver was a man, not a woman, according to WFLA.
According to court records, Marques Player, 19, met his date in the parking area of a Front Beach Road motel at approximately 3:30 a.m. Sunday after organizing the meeting via Tagged, an online dating app, and Snapchat.
According to Player, after scooting into the truck and realizing his date was a man, he “became frightened and fired his weapon in reaction.” According to records, he shot the guy in the stomach.
After wounding the man that’s dressed as a woman, Player went to the room of 23-year-old Tadarius Dale, informed him of the incident, and informed him that they would need to start leaving, according to court records. The two men then fled the scene.
In the meantime, the shooting victim’s truck collided with another vehicle, which then collided with the motel.
Player faces an aggravated battery charge with a firearm. Dale is charged with aggravated battery with a firearm as an accessory.
Bay County Sheriff’s officials stated in a news release that the victim’s injuries were serious but not really life-threatening. They added that the shooting’s motive was still being probed. According to the victim’s court report, the shooting occurred over cash.
