ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Orange County Sheriff’s Office says it’s made an arrest after a man attempting to sell a watch for $115,000 on Facebook Marketplace was shot by a phony buyer.
Abijah Antonio Javois, 21, faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and shooting into an occupied vehicle in connection with the Nov. 10 incident, records show.
According to the affidavit for Javois’ arrest warrant, the victim had arranged to sell Javois a Richard Mill 11-03 McLaren watch at the Altamonte Mall, talking that morning and meeting in person later that afternoon.
Javois drove off after giving the victim fake money, something that the victim soon realized, the affidavit states.
The victim then took off after Javois, following him for around 11 miles before Javois pulled over near the 1400 block of 45th Street, exited his vehicle, and pointed a rifle at the victim, according to the affidavit. Javois is then accused of opening fire as the victim attempted to flee, striking the victim in the jaw and shoulder while leaving a total of four bullet holes in the victim’s vehicle, investigators said.
The victim attempted to drive himself to the hospital and crashed at I-4 and Kaley Avenue, according to the affidavit. He was soon taken to the hospital by first responders, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and was able to speak with law enforcement, the affidavit states, adding another person who had been in the victim’s passenger seat during the incident stayed behind with the crashed car.
The cameras on the victim’s vehicle, a Tesla, allowed investigators to see Javois’ vehicle and thus track him down, according to the affidavit.
At his first appearance in court on Friday, Javois was given no bond and was ordered to not have contact with the victim or witnesses, as well as to not return to the scene of the events, to not possess any weapons or firearms, and to not buy or sell anything on virtual marketplaces.