CLEARWATER — Detectives with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Robbery & Homicide Unit are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in unincorporated Clearwater on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
At approximately 5:35 p.m., deputies responded to the area of 5346 Laurel Place in unincorporated Clearwater after a 911 caller stated a male had been shot and was lying on the ground. When deputies arrived on scene, they located the victim, 15-year-old Ahmad Albayati of Largo, in the street suffering from a gunshot wound. Albayati was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Throughout the course of the investigation, detectives learned that Albayati had been conversing with the suspect, 19-year-old James Acosta of St. Petersburg, to purchase a firearm. During the interaction, Acosta shot Albayati, striking him in the back and upper chest. Acosta fled the scene prior to deputies arriving.
According to investigators, Acosta admitted to selling a firearm to a minor. He also admitted to firing the weapon at Albayati once, stating that he overreacted and did not intend to kill him. Acosta claimed that Albayati reached into his jacket area, where the firearm was located, prompting him to fire.
Surveillance video recovered from the area showed the incident. The footage depicts Albayati approaching Acosta’s vehicle and standing at the driver’s side door for over 40 seconds before falling to the ground.
Detectives located Acosta and took him into custody. He was charged with Murder in the Third Degree, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device, and Furnishing a Firearm to a Minor. He was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.