CLEARWATER, FL — July 23, 2025 — A devastating incident occurred late Wednesday afternoon in unincorporated Clearwater, resulting in the death of a teenager during an illegal firearm transaction. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Robbery & Homicide Unit is investigating the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Ahmad Albayati, a Largo resident.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a male lying in the street in the 5300 block of Laurel Place. Upon arrival, they found Albayati with gunshot wounds to his back and upper chest. Emergency medical personnel rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His family has been notified, and the community is reeling from the loss of the young teen.

**Details of the Incident*
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Albayati had arranged to meet 19-year-old James Acosta of St. Petersburg to purchase a firearm. During the transaction, Acosta shot Albayati and fled the scene. The circumstances leading to the shooting are still under investigation, but authorities have confirmed the incident stemmed from an illegal attempt to buy a gun. Following witness interviews and analysis of digital communications, detectives located and apprehended Acosta later that evening.

**Charges Against the Suspect**
James Acosta has been charged with:
– Third-Degree Murder
– Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
– Furnishing a Firearm to a Minor

He is currently detained at the Pinellas County Jail, with the investigation ongoing to determine if others were involved or if the firearm has been recovered.

**Community Response and Reflection**
The death of Ahmad Albayati has sparked grief and outrage in Largo and Clearwater. Described by friends as a “kind and quiet” teen with potential, Albayati’s loss has prompted renewed discussions about the dangers of illegal gun transactions and the accessibility of firearms to minors. Community leaders are calling for increased education and intervention to prevent similar tragedies, emphasizing the need to address youth violence and unregulated weapon sales.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them, stressing the importance of community cooperation in seeking justice for Albayati and his family.

This heartbreaking event underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to combat illegal firearms and protect young lives, leaving a grieving community to mourn a future cut short.