Ohio Fairs on High Alert After Teen Shot at Summit County Fairgrounds; Attorney General Says Fairs Can’t Ban Guns

MEDINA, Ohio — County fairs across Ohio are tightening security following a weekend of violence at the Summit County Fairgrounds that left a 17-year-old injured. The shooting, described by officials as a “targeted attack,” occurred late Saturday night in the parking lot, prompting heightened safety measures in neighboring counties as the fair season peaks.

“We always have contingencies and plans and [we’re always] running the what if game,” Sgt. Mike Lyon with the Medina County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting happened around 11:15 p.m., shortly after the fair had closed. An unknown male suspect fired several shots into a vehicle, hitting the teen inside. The victim, who was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital, is expected to recover from non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities described the suspect as a male with dreadlocks, a tattoo on his neck, and wearing a Nike t-shirt. He fled in an unidentified vehicle.

The incident followed a turbulent Friday night at the fairgrounds, where officials were forced to close early after multiple disturbances, including false reports of an active shooter and a physical altercation involving a juvenile with a taser. “Recent violence raises the concern for every fair in the state of Ohio and throughout the nation,” said Tim Fowler, head of fire and safety for the Cuyahoga County Fair.

In Medina County, where its annual fair is currently underway, authorities have deployed a new mobile command unit for the first time. Sgt. Lyon said the unit improves response times and allows staff to monitor live camera feeds. “We’ll have one dedicated dispatcher just for radio traffic and then we’ll have an additional one to two people in there that are monitoring life feeds for the cameras,” Lyon explained.

The Cuyahoga County Fair, which begins next week in Berea, is also ramping up its presence. Fowler confirmed the fair will increase the number of officers on patrol while working closely with the sheriff’s office and other local law enforcement agencies. “We have eyes and ears open all the time. We hope that we don’t have to use those but when we do we can respond and do a positive job to take care of the public,” Fowler said.

As investigations continue into the Summit County shooting, officials have also been reminded of Ohio’s firearm laws. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a legal opinion on July 28, stating that county fairs cannot prohibit firearms on their grounds. “A county agricultural society organized under R.C. Chapter 1711 is a political subdivision for purposes of R.C. 9.68,” Yost wrote. His opinion came after an incident last year when an off-duty police chief was arrested at the Champaign County Fair for open carrying despite local rules banning weapons.

Despite the recent violence, Summit County fair organizers pledged to maintain a safe environment and continue events as planned. “We are steadfast in our commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for all fair attendees,” fair officials stated on social media. “We are grateful for the thousands who come to enjoy the fair each year and regret that the actions of a few individuals threaten that experience.”

Anyone with information regarding the Summit County shooting is urged to contact the Summit County Sheriff’s Detective Bureau at 330-643-8087.

------------

At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community-driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.