A Florida man has been killed after meeting a woman on a popular dating app and now police are sending a strong message to users who are connecting with strangers online.
Adam Hilarie, 27, was found shot to death inside his Auburndale, Fla. home on Aug. 19 after he connected with a 19-year-old woman on the popular dating app and site, PlentyofFish (POF).
According to police, the woman had a plan to lure Hilarie in, check out his place and rob him with the help of three other people.
“I think the plan was that he get robbed and that they take his stuff,” said Auburndale Police Deputy Chief Andy Ray during a press conference.
Hilarie met a woman on POF and went out on a date on Aug. 18. After their outing, the two went back to Hilarie’s place and he eventually dropped the woman at home.
Police say the woman and three men went back to Hilarie’s residence hours later to carry out their plan.
According to WFLA News, an affiliate of NBC, a struggle between Hilarie and one of the men ensued before Hilarie was shot in the head.
Now, Hilarie’s family is mourning his death and the fact his five-year-old daughter will have to grow up without her father.
“I would never want no one to be in the shoes I am in right now,” Hilarie’s brother told WFLA.
Police are also sending a strong message to people who are on popular dating apps and sites, such as Tinder and Bumble.
“There’s so many places that you can check people out now on the computer. It’s probably a good idea to do that first. Also on a first date, you really shouldn’t take somebody to the place that you live.”
Just a few suggestions from Ray who said you never know who you may be connecting with on the other side.