News Summary
Recent shootings in St. Petersburg and Clearwater have resulted in one fatality and two serious injuries. A 39-year-old man was shot in St. Petersburg, and a 15-year-old in Clearwater died from gunshot wounds. The investigations are ongoing, with police urging the community for assistance.
St. Petersburg and Clearwater Experience Separate Shootings: One Dead and Two Injured
St. Petersburg and Clearwater have seen a spate of violence this week, resulting in one fatality and two serious injuries following separate shooting incidents. The St. Petersburg Police Department reported a significant event on Tuesday evening when a 39-year-old man was found shot and lying in the street. Meanwhile, an earlier shooting in Clearwater has left a 15-year-old dead and has resulted in serious criminal charges against a 19-year-old suspect.
St. Petersburg Shooting Details
The shooting in St. Petersburg took place on Tuesday evening near the area of 1244 9th Avenue South. Officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving a call reporting shots fired. Upon arrival, they discovered a 39-year-old man suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was found lying next to his car and was immediately transported to the hospital for emergency medical care. Authorities have not yet confirmed the circumstances surrounding this incident, nor have they reported any suspects in custody. The investigation is ongoing as police work to piece together the events that led to the shooting.
Clearwater Incident Claims Young Life
In a separate incident in Clearwater, a 15-year-old boy was fatally shot on July 23, 2025. Law enforcement authorities were alerted to the incident around 5:35 p.m. when a 911 caller reported that a male was lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. Emergency responders arrived at 5346 Laurel Place and found the victim, identified as Ahmad Albayati from Largo, suffering from serious injuries. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Detectives have determined that Albayati was attempting to purchase a firearm from 19-year-old James Acosta of St. Petersburg at the time of the incident. During this exchange, Acosta shot Albayati in the back and upper chest before fleeing the scene. Acosta has since admitted to selling a firearm to a minor and claimed that he shot Albayati out of fear that the minor might have been reaching for a gun. Surveillance footage revealed Albayati approaching Acosta’s vehicle and standing at the driver’s side door for over 40 seconds before collapsing from the wounds he sustained.
Law enforcement was able to locate Acosta, who has been taken into custody and charged with several offenses, including Murder in the Third Degree, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device, and Furnishing a Firearm to a Minor.
Another Shooting Incident in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg police are also investigating a separate shooting involving a 19-year-old victim found inside a crashed vehicle. Officers responded to a call at the intersection of 17 Avenue South and 49 Street South, where they located the vehicle with the victim inside. The 19-year-old is reported to be in critical condition, while his 18-year-old brother, who was also in the car, is currently stable. Authorities have confirmed that a person has been brought in for questioning regarding this incident, and their investigation remains active.
Ongoing Investigations
Both the St. Petersburg and Clearwater police departments are actively investigating these incidents, with more information expected as their work continues. Community members are urged to come forward with any tips or information that could assist law enforcement in solving these troubling cases.
As these investigations unfold, the focus remains on ensuring safety and justice in the community amidst rising concerns over gun violence among youth and others.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News: Man Taken to Hospital After St. Pete Shooting
- Wikipedia: Shooting
- WFLA: Man, Woman Hurt in Shooting Outside St. Petersburg Home
- Google Search: St. Petersburg shooting
- IONTB: St. Petersburg Man Arrested for Third Degree Murder in Shooting of Teen
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gun violence
- ABC Action News: 1 Hospitalized After Shooting, Car Crash – St. Pete Police
- Google News: Pinellas County shooting
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
