15-year-old charged in shooting at Sarasota County Fair. Expect more security at event
A 15-year-old boy has been charged in Saturday night’s shooting at the Sarasota County fair, according to the Sarasota Police Department.
Shots erupted at the annual fair just before 10 p.m. on Saturday during an altercation between two groups of people, according to police. An 18-year-old was rushed to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with serious gunshot injuries but listed in stable condition on Monday and is expected to recover.
Early Monday morning, Sarasota police announced the arrest of 15-year-old Ansel L. Acosta in connection to the shooting. Acosta, who was arrested at his home in Sarasota, is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, culpable negligence and brandishing a firearm in public.
According to detectives, the shooting was not random and Acosta and the victim knew one another. The shooting is also believed to be an isolated and unrelated to shots that were fired the fairgrounds parking lot.
Hours are scheduled to remain the same for the fair that runs through Sunday. But security is ramping up for the remaining days. The private security company hired to provide security for the fair will be checking people and their bags with metal detecting wands at the fair entrance.
Sarasota police has also increased its presence at the fair.
Anyone with any information or video of the shooting can call the Sarasota Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 941-263-6070. Annoynous tips can also be submitted online at sarasotacrimestoppers.com.
This story was originally published March 22, 2021 at 8:12 AM.
