A Memphis woman’s online date turned terrifying in seconds, with police saying a meetup at her apartment ended in blows and gunfire before she managed to escape uninjured and help officers track down the man she had just met.
Court records say the encounter was arranged through Facebook Dating for Sunday, Feb. 1, at the woman’s apartment. Once inside, the man allegedly pulled a gun, hit her with it, and fired two shots that missed. She was later able to work with investigators using doorbell-camera footage to identify the suspect.
What police allege
According to an arrest affidavit reviewed by FOX13 Memphis, 27-year-old Andre Jackson met the woman through Facebook Dating and arrived at her apartment that night. Once there, the affidavit alleges, Jackson pulled a firearm, struck her in the face with it, then fired two shots that did not hit her.
The woman told officers she grabbed for the gun during the struggle. According to the affidavit, that move was enough to make Jackson run from the apartment before police arrived.
Identification and arrest
Investigators say the woman’s Ring doorbell camera captured the encounter and that Jackson’s sister later identified him from the footage, according to court filings. Officers then located Jackson and took him into custody. He is being held on a $200,000 bond while the case moves forward.
The affidavit lists kidnapping and rape among the counts investigators are reviewing in connection with the incident. Prosecutors will decide which of those allegations to formally pursue.
Past convictions noted in filings
The arrest papers also reference a prior armed robbery conviction in Horn Lake, Mississippi. Records say Jackson was sentenced in that case to nine years in 2019. That earlier sentence appears in the background section of the current affidavit and is cited by investigators as part of Jackson’s criminal history. As reported by FOX13 Memphis, the prior case sits alongside the new charges in the court record.
What's next in court
Jackson faces multiple felony allegations and is awaiting a formal arraignment while prosecutors review the evidence. He remains jailed on the $200,000 bond as investigators examine the Ring video and other material gathered in the case.
For details on the docket, bond status, and upcoming hearings, members of the public can search the Shelby County court records portal at Shelby County court records.
Tips for people who meet online
Police say most online meetups do not end in violence, but they still urge people to take basic precautions: arrange first meetings in public places, tell a friend where you are going and who you are meeting, and keep messages or screenshots that might help investigators if something goes wrong.
The Federal Trade Commission offers consumer guidance on romance scams and staying safe when meeting someone from an app. The FTC’s advice includes keeping conversations on the platform, being skeptical of anyone who rushes intimacy, and refusing requests for money. Anyone who has been threatened, assaulted, or otherwise harmed should contact local law enforcement or victim services as soon as it is safe to do so.
