Amarillo, Texas – An Amarillo man admitted to shooting three men at the Tri-State Fair in 2022, including a Potter County Sheriff’s deputy and a Potter County volunteer firefighter who were providing security. Eleazar Suarez engaged in a fight at the fairgrounds, prompting officers to pursue him. When Suarez was cornered, he fired at deputy William Snyder, volunteer firefighter Brady Carroll, and a bystander. Responding deputies returned fire, injuring Suarez, who was hospitalized for 21 days. After pleading guilty, District Judge Dee Johnson sentenced Suarez to serve three 40-year terms concurrently in prison. He will receive credit for the 436 days he spent in the Potter County Detention Center awaiting trial. Snyder was released from the hospital two days after being admitted, and Carroll was discharged four days after the shooting. No charges were filed against the three deputies who shot Suarez.

The incident at the Tri-State Fair in 2022 led to a chaotic situation, with law enforcement officers and civilians caught in the crossfire. The guilty plea and subsequent sentencing brought some closure to the victims and their families, as they continue to recover from the trauma of the shooting. The authorities’ swift response in pursuing and apprehending Suarez prevented further harm to fair attendees and ensured that justice was served for the victims.

The safety and security of public events like the Tri-State Fair are paramount, and law enforcement officials play a crucial role in maintaining order and protecting the public. The quick actions of the deputies involved in the incident helped prevent additional casualties and led to the apprehension of the perpetrator. The sentencing of Suarez sends a strong message that violent behavior will not be tolerated in the community.

The outcome of the trial underscores the importance of swift and effective law enforcement response to incidents of violence in public spaces. The commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, coupled with the dedication of law enforcement and first responders, reinforces the community’s trust in its public safety agencies. The resolution of this case brings a measure of closure to the victims and their families, as they continue to heal from the traumatic events of that day in 2022.

In Amarillo, Texas, Eleazar Suarez pleaded guilty to shooting three men, including a deputy and volunteer firefighter at the Tri-State Fair in 2022. He was sentenced to three concurrent 40-year terms in prison, with credit for 436 days served in the county detention center. The injured deputy and firefighter were released from the hospital within days of the shooting, and no charges were filed against the deputies who fired back at Suarez. The incident underscores the importance of swift and effective law enforcement response to incidents of violence in public spaces, as well as the commitment to holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.