An 18-year-old male was shot during a fight involving approximately 10 young adults at the Cuyahoga County Fair Saturday night, according to the Berea Police Department.
The shooting occurred shortly after 11 p.m. during what police described as a physical altercation inside the fairgrounds in Berea. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to his torso and was transported to a local hospital after being treated by medics on scene. According to fair officials, the injured teen is doing well.
Two suspects were seen running to a vehicle in the parking lot following the incident. Middleburg Heights Police stopped the vehicle and arrested a male occupant who was found in possession of a firearm. Police have not yet determined if the arrested individual was involved in the shooting.
Candyce Traci, the PR and Media Ambassador for the Cuyahoga County Fair, confirmed that two persons of interest are being questioned by police. She described the incident as isolated and emphasized that enhanced security was provided for the fair’s final day Sunday.
The fair had record-breaking attendance this year, partly due to beautiful weather. Despite the shooting, the fair operated its final day Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. with additional law enforcement presence from multiple departments including Berea Police, Middleburg Heights Police and Olmsted Township Police.
The shooting occurred during the fair’s final weekend. Fair officials confirmed there was no active threat to the fairgrounds Sunday and that response time to Saturday night’s incident was timely.
The Cuyahoga County Fair addressed concerns about metal detectors, explaining that under current Ohio law, individuals are permitted to carry firearms on county-owned property, making metal detectors ineffective as a security measure. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recently issued a legal opinion stating that county fairs cannot ban guns under state firearm preemption statutes.
Fair officials emphasized their commitment to maintaining a safe, family-friendly environment while complying with state and local laws. The investigation remains ongoing.
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