Four injured at Tri-State Fair shooting

AMARILLO – Four people were injured in a shooting at Amarillo’s Tri-State Fair late Monday night.

Potter County Sheriff Brian Thomas said a fight broke out between two people about 11 p.m. Monday. One of the men involved in the altercation began running away, Thomas said. When off-duty sheriff’s deputies began chasing the man, he opened fire on the officers, Thomas said.

One deputy shot the suspect, who was in critical condition at an Amarillo hospital early Tuesday afternoon.

A deputy, a bystander, and a firefighter were all taken to the hospital for injuries sustained during the melee. They were treated for non-life threatening injuries.

A witness who said they were nearby when the shooting happened described it as “pure chaos.” The witness also said multiple vehicles in the area were hit by bullets.

The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.

Fair officials announced they would close until 4 p.m. Tuesday then resume normal operating hours.

Brady Ragland, CEO of the Tri-State Fair, said officials will be “beefing up” security for the rest of the fair. The fair was scheduled to remain closed until 4 p.m. Tuesday before resuming normal operating hours.

The annual fair attracts more than 100,000 people from across the High Plains, according to its website. It is scheduled to continue through Saturday.