A Milwaukee resident is warning others about the potential dangers of meeting people from dating apps after he became a victim of robbery.
In an interview with TMJ4 News, Davie Hackbarth shared his experience of chatting with someone on Grindr in December, which eventually led to a face-to-face meeting.
He recalled noticing some warning signs, such as the lack of profile pictures, but chose to proceed with the meeting, a decision that ultimately left him traumatized.
Feeling ‘pretty lonely’ at the time, Hackbarth drove to what appeared to be a regular, well-lit residential area that seemed safe.
Upon his arrival, a man approached Hackbarth’s car, and they began walking down an alley, where Hackbarth believed the man lived.
As they walked, Hackbarth began to sense danger and stopped abruptly, only for the man to draw a gun. A second individual then appeared, and together they demanded his possessions, assaulting him with the weapon.
Hackbarth recounted: “I’ve never had a gun pointed at me before… I kinda realized it was do or die.
“He said, give us the passcode, or we’ll kill you. So it was pretty terrifying.”
Following the attack, Hackbarth managed to reach a nearby gas station to contact the police and report the incident.
He expressed his hope that by sharing his story, others might take necessary precautions to ensure their safety, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
He further stated: “Just know you’re not alone if this happens to you, there’s a lot of shame in these dating apps and I don’t think there should be.”
The Milwaukee police have reported a surge in robberies linked to dating apps, particularly those involving the LGBTQ+ community.
Their guidance includes meeting in public places, informing someone about your whereabouts, and being cautious of profiles lacking photos.
Hackbarth supports this advice and emphasizes that safety should take precedence over any feelings of shame in such situations.
He also called on Grindr and other dating platforms to implement stricter verification measures to prevent similar occurrences.
Authorities have stated that the investigation is still in progress.
UNILAD has reached out to Grindr for a response.