CANFIELD — An increased law enforcement presence at the Canfield Fairgrounds on Sunday will continue on Labor Day today, following a Saturday evening episode when gunshots were fired and several young adults and juveniles were involved in a fight.

The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department was called after 8 p.m. after reports of gunfire being heard. Several individuals were involved in a dispute that begin inside the fairgrounds and continued into the parking lot by Gate C.

Sheriff Jerry Greene said Sunday that officers responded, and seven juveniles and three adults were arrested. They face charges of disorderly conduct, obstruction and resisting arrest.

He said one 14-year-old with a pistol was arrested and taken to the county juvenile justice center.

Signs posted at the fairgrounds clearly state that weapons are prohibited from being brought onto the property, Greene said.

Two vehicles in the parking lot by Gate C had bullet holes in them, he said, but there were no reports of anyone being injured.

WITNESS ACCOUNTS

The sheriff said several fairgoers reported hearing gunshots.

John Gatta, a correspondent for this newspaper, and his wife, Maureen Lauer-Gatta, were leaving the fairgrounds around 10 p.m. Saturday when “a handful of kids” they estimated being anywhere from mid-teens to early 20s ran past them.

“I thought they were just screwing around,” Lauer-Gatta said, and then shortly after: “I don’t know how far we were from Gate C, maybe 30 yards, when we heard the shots.”

They said they heard about four shots coming from outside the gate.

“I froze for a moment then saw people running,” she said. “I broke my ankle a few months ago and can’t do fast, far, quick. I saw a concrete barrier and went behind it and just sat down.”

They waited several minutes in place for things to calm down before leaving.

“It was chaos,” Lauer-Gatta said. “It was dark. You didn’t know who was who … Some people were yelling, ‘Run, run run.’ Some were just crying.”

They saw police chasing a teenage boy, and saw four females in their late teens or early 20s being escorted by police in handcuffs.

Gate C is near the horse barns. Many of the families showing horses at the fair were still at the barns when the gunshots were fired.

“Some girls said somebody was shooting, and we didn’t know whether to believe them or not,” said Sharon Samuels of Mineral Ridge, who was at Pony Barn 39. “We got in the stable until we figured out what was going on. It was kind of frightening for a while.”

Lisa Wilson of Berlin Center said, “Some of the kids who were supposed to show didn’t want to come back (Sunday).”

Sheriff deputies, a SWAT team, drones, police dogs and officers on horseback all were observed at the scene.

“The fair board did a good job shutting everything down and got people out safely,” Wilson said.

EXTRA PRESENCE

Greene said extra patrols and officers will be at the fairgrounds today as fair events and activities continue as normal.

He said police presence was increased Sunday as a precaution and will be again today. Greene said he believes what happened Saturday evening is “an isolated incident.”

The matter remains under investigation.

He said those arrested have been issued summons to appear in Canfield court.

A statement issued Sunday by the Canfield Fair Board indicates all events and activities planned for the holiday weekend will take place as scheduled. Sunday night was the Sam Hunt concert, which was held at the grandstand.

“The fair board will not tolerate conduct like that which occurred Saturday night and will take all steps necessary to ensure the safety of all those attending and working at the fair including an enhanced police presence for the remainder of this year’s fair,” the board stated. “We thank the fair police department, the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Canfield Police Department and other law enforcement agencies for all their work in keeping the fair a safe place. ….We hope you continue to celebrate the unofficial end of summer at the Canfield Fair.”

Because the matter is the subject of criminal investigation, the board said it will have no further comment.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

agray@tribtoday.com