AURORA, Colo. – As the holiday season approaches, law enforcement agencies across Colorado are advising buyers and sellers of items on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and Craigslist to consider using “safe trading venues.”

The advisory comes just a day after a woman was shot during an online item transaction.

According to Aurora police, a man and a woman arranged to meet to purchase items in the area. During the transaction, two people allegedly attempted to rob her at gunpoint.

“You found someone online. You went there to buy a cell phone. And then the situation got worse,” said Agent Matthew Longshore with the Aurora Police Department.

Aurora police said a physical altercation occurred and the woman was shot in the shoulder. She was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The man was not injured in the incident.

Situations like these are reason enough for law enforcement to encourage online buyers and sellers to meet more safely.

“Let us exercise a little common sense when conducting these meetings and exchanges. Let’s use a public place,” Longshore said. “Let’s make it a time of day that makes sense. Middle of the night, late at night, I know it might work for your work schedule, but let’s try to see if there’s another day that works better.”

“Let’s find a place that’s densely populated and has a lot of people,” Longshore continued. “So we’re thinking about shopping centers or, you know, I’m thinking about a bank parking lot. Somewhere where there will be outdoor surveillance cameras.”

Summer Alsadi, a frequent buyer and seller on Facebook Marketplace, takes the advice to heart.

“I’ve been on Facebook for quite some time, and when I first came across Marketplace it was probably four years ago,” Alsadi said. “I remember thinking it kind of felt like a flea market just because you could find really good deals.”

“I love the idea of ​​reducing, reusing and recycling, so it felt really nice to be able to get things for my kids in this way,” she added.

Over the years, Alsadi has sold dozens of items, mostly with success.

“The last time I went to pick something up and the lady didn’t want me to come to her apartment complex,” Alsadi said. “She wanted to meet outside…It just didn’t feel right, and so I changed my mind and didn’t meet her because it just didn’t feel right at the time.”

Alsadi told Denver7 that she is already doing everything she can to maximize safety.

“There is nothing more important than ensuring the safety of my family,” she said. “I’ve been thinking about not selling because of the risk and the question becomes, is it worth the money I’m making at some point?”