On July 23, 2025, at approximately 5:35 p.m., Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at 5346 Laurel Place in unincorporated Clearwater. Upon arrival, deputies found 15-year-old Ahmad Albayati in the street with a gunshot wound. Albayati was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Detectives from the Robbery & Homicide Unit determined that Albayati had been in contact with 19-year-old James Acosta to purchase a firearm. During the interaction, Acosta shot Albayati in the back and upper chest and fled the scene before deputies arrived.
Detectives later located and arrested Acosta. He was charged with Murder in the Third Degree, Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device, and Furnishing a Firearm to a Minor. Acosta was transported to the Pinellas County Jail.
Albayati’s next of kin has been notified. The investigation remains ongoing.
