Additional shots were fired in the parking lot of the Sarasota County Fair and the SPD names 15-year-old that has been arrested 

 

 

 

Additional shots were fired in the parking lot of the Sarasota County Fair and the SPD names 15-year-old that has been arrested

Scoop Publisher Francesco Abbruzzino

 

 

 

SPD

 

 

The Sarasota Police Department has arrested Ansel L. Acosta, 15, of Sarasota, in connection to the shooting that happened at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds inside the gates on Saturday, March 20, 2021, just before 10 p.m.  Acosta was arrested at his home early Monday, March 22, 2021.

 

Per F.S.S. 985.04 (2) (a) 1., information about juveniles charged with felonies is public record.  Acosta is facing three felony charges including:

• Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon with intent to kill
• Culpable negligence
• Brandishing a firearm in public

 

This incident was not an active shooter situation.  Sarasota Police detectives are confident this was an isolated incident where a verbal argument between two groups of people escalated into Acosta pulling out a firearm and shooting the victim.  Acosta and the victim know each other and this was not a random incident.  The victim, who is an 18-year-old man, remains at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in stable condition and is expected to survive. 

 

Sarasota Police detectives have learned additional shots were fired in the parking lot after the shooting incident.  This was unrelated, no one was injured and detectives believe someone fired a gun into the air.

 

The Sarasota County Fair remains open through March 28, 2021.  The Sarasota Police Department has extra officers on patrol at the fairgrounds to continue to keep fairgoers and their families safe.

 

As mentioned over the weekend, the Sarasota Police Department is coordinating and taking a more proactive role in the execution of the security plans for the Sarasota County Fair for the duration of the event.  Security plans have been developed with input from the private security company contracted by the Sarasota County Fair Board, as well as, the Sarasota County Fair personnel, to make the Sarasota County Fair safe and enjoyable for everyone.

 

The private security company contracted by the Sarasota County Fair Board will be searching bags and using wands on patrons before admittance to the fairgrounds. 

 

This case remains active and ongoing.  Anyone with information or video in connection to this case is asked to call the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 941-263-6070 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com

 

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