Indiana mother fatally shot after suspect tries to rob son during Facebook Marketplace meetup

A northern Indiana mother was allegedly shot and killed by a man her son met online through Facebook Marketplace about selling a watch, according to WNDU, the NBC affiliate in South Bend.

Jean Gragg, 40, was shot in the head on Wednesday, June 10, in South Bend, Indiana, and died the following Saturday. Police said prior to the shooting, Gragg’s son arranged to meet with an 18-year-old man he had been communicating with through Facebook Marketplace.

According to authorities, Gragg’s son arranged to sell the individual, identified as John Harrison Ford, a watch.

WNDU reported the son told police that Ford ended up pulling out a gun while he was looking at the watch and tried taking it from him. Gragg then got in between them and chased Ford away from the home.

Police said security camera video captured the 18-year-old shooting at Gragg after she turned around and began heading back toward the house. Gragg was taken to an area hospital, where she died three days later.

During an interview with law enforcement, Ford reportedly admitted to shooting Gragg. He was later charged with murder, felony murder, attempted murder and attempted armed robbery.