SARASOTA – What would have been a normal night at the fair for those in attendance turned into a nightmarish scene after one person was shot.
“It was chaos, people were running and trampling over each other,” said Lisa Moore.
A chaotic scene erupted late Saturday night at the Sarasota County Fair – after reports of a shooting came in shortly after 10 p.m.
Detectives say the shooting is believed to have occurred between two groups of people. The victim shot, an 18-year-old, was taken to Sarasota Memorial suffering serious injuries but is in stable condition.
Investigators have no evidence to believe this was a random encounter between the shooter and victim. SPD has yet to make any arrests.
“Well the first thing I heard was over the radio a guy saying, shots fired at Gate 8 repeated it like three or four times; and evacuate, evacuate shots fired,” said Moore.
Fair volunteers Moore and Alyssa Ponce were working the Gate 1 entrance when the chaos ensued. They describe the ordeal terrifying – running for their lives and seeking shelter just like countless of other fair goers uncertain of what was happening around them.
“And as we’re running over the radio we hear – that there was a body on the ground,” said Ponce.
What happened next is still unclear. After the first reports of a shooting both Moore and Ponce say they heard what they believe could have been more shots fired.
“Then after 30 minutes or so the guy on the radio said we can come back to get our stuff,” said Moore. “And as we’re going back we heard two more loud boom.”
I arrived on scene shortly before hearing two loud booms myself. Capturing the moment people and police officers darted across Fruitville Road.
Several people that were in attendance posting on social media similar stories to what Moore & Ponce experienced.
Following the confusion on Saturday night SPD is increasing its uniformed and operational presence, and will take a more proactive role in security for the fair for duration of the event.
In a statement sent to SNN SPD says “the private security company contracted by the Sarasota County Fair Board will be searching bags and using wands on patrons prior to admittance to the Sarasota County Fairgrounds.”
Stay with SNN this week as we’ll be continuing our coverage of Saturday nights shooting, and getting the answers many of you have been asking.
