A shooting late Saturday night outside the Summit County Fairgrounds left one person injured in what authorities say was a targeted attack.
According to a statement from fair officials, gunfire erupted in the parking lot around 11:15 p.m., shortly after the fairgrounds had closed for the evening. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office said an unknown individual fired shots at a specific vehicle. One person was taken to a local hospital by the Tallmadge Fire Department. Their condition was not immediately released.
Deputies already on site responded to the scene within moments, along with additional sheriff’s personnel and Tallmadge police officers. No arrests had been announced as of Sunday morning, and the incident remains under active investigation.
“The Summit County Fair operated without incident throughout the day Saturday,” fair officials said in a statement. “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.”
The shooting followed a pair of unrelated incidents Friday night that prompted early closure of the fair. In one case, a juvenile was arrested after allegedly using a taser during a fight on the Midway. Earlier, false rumors of a potential shooting led to panic near the northeast corner of the fairgrounds, though officials emphasized that no credible threat was ever identified.
To maintain safety, fair officials enforced increased security measures throughout the weekend, including drone surveillance, added deputies, and new restrictions on bag types allowed into the fairgrounds.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for all fair attendees,” organizers said.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and handling all inquiries related to the shooting.
