CENTRAL GARDENS — Both sides came to the sale with weapons and both sides were prepared to use them, authorities said.

The proposed Tuesday night sale of a motorcycle brokered through Internet communications turned deadly, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, when two men with masks covering their faces showed up armed.

Shooting broke out in Central Gardens’ 1500 block of Lamar Avenue, located in Mid-County.

Deputies were dispatched to the location at 10:20 p.m. but the violence had already occurred. According to police, a resident was shot and so was one of the perpetrators.

The resident who was shot was talking earlier in the day through social media to a guy about buying a motorcycle, his father told police.

The seller and another subject arrived with masks covering the lower portion of their faces, police said, adding at least one of the sellers had a gun, as well as the son.

Gunfire was exchanged, and one of the perpetrators ran into the back yard next door and died, JCSO said.

A witness said the second perpetrator ran to a waiting car and drove away, with authorities adding a Sheriff’s Office K-9 lost track in that area.

The JCSO Crime Scene Unit and SETX Regional Crime Lab processed the scene.

The resident who was shot was taken to a local hospital for treatment, and police said the body of the suspected perpetrator was transferred to the Jefferson County Lab for an autopsy.

“No names and no additional information will be given out until further notice,” a Sheriff’s Office release said at 2 a.m. Wednesday. “We ask that all of you in that area check your security cameras between 10 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. (Tuesday) to see if there is any suspicious activity on your camera. If so, please call Detective Molfino at 406-835-8411.”

Safe sales

Due to the shooting’s proximity to Nederland city limits,NPD officers responded and assisted with the police action.

“Sometimes, if there is something right immediately outside the city, our officers are close by and they will respond if needed; that happened,” Nederland Assistant Chief Andrew Arnold said. “Our guys responded and (the JCSO) took over and are handling all of the investigation.”

While not addressing the shooting in particular, Arnold suggested those who broker sales through the Internet to also pay attention to safe places for the business exchange.

Police suggest a well lit area but prefer business be done in daylight hours.

“You want to make sure there is some type of surveillance,” Arnold said. “A lot of big box stores have pretty good surveillance in their parking lots. I would also recommend that you don’t do business with just anybody. Try to make sure you are doing business with a reputable person.”