Sarasota police arrest teenager in connection with Saturday shooting at fairgrounds

Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published: Updated:
Crime scene tape. File photo

Detectives with the Sarasota Police Department have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with Saturday night’s shooting at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds, according to a press release.

Ansel L. Acosta, of Sarasota, was arrested at his home early Monday for the incident, where police say a verbal argument between two groups of people escalated into Acosta pulling out a firearm and shooting the victim. Acosta and the victim, an 18-year-old man, know each other, and detectives believe this was not a random incident.  The victim remains at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in stable condition and is expected to survive.

Detectives say additional, unrelated shots were fired in the parking lot after the shooting incident, likely someone firing a gun into the air, but no one was injured.

Acosta faces three felony charges: aggravated battery with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, culpable negligence and brandishing a firearm in public.

The Sarasota County Fair remains open through Sunday. The SPD has extra officers on patrol at the fairgrounds, and says it will be taking a more proactive role in security plans. 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. 

The investigation is ongoing. The SPD asks anyone with information or video to contact its  Criminal Investigations Division at (941) 263-6070, or to contact Crime Stoppers of Sarasota County at (941) 366-8477 or online.

Trust WINK News for updates.

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