Cameron Turner, a 23-year-old accused of shooting and injuring three people at the State Fair of Texas on October 14, 2023, pleaded guilty Monday just before his trial was set to begin, the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office said.
Turner was sentenced to 12 years in prison on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and 10 years for unlawfully carrying a firearm in a prohibited place, with the sentences running concurrently. The plea agreement was reached as jury selection was scheduled to start Tuesday.
The shooting occurred inside the Tower Building, which was used as a food court during the fair. Turner told police he fired three to four shots in “defense mode” to protect his family after being approached by “a group of big males,” according to an affidavit.
However, video footage reportedly showed him alone at the time of the shooting. The affidavit stated Turner exchanged words with Cade Kelly while leaving a concession stand after buying a water bottle, then reached for a handgun and fired at Kelly. The other victims were identified as Stephen Wright and Andrea Silva.
Turner fled the scene but was arrested by two state troopers and a Dallas police officer. It remains unclear how he brought the gun into the fair.
The State Fair of Texas issued a statement on the plea: “We are thankful for the resolution of the criminal case regarding the tragic events of October 14, 2023 at the State Fair of Texas, and while no guilty plea or sentence can undo the harm inflicted, we hope this outcome brings a measure of justice and closure to the individuals injured that evening and their loved ones. Our hearts remain with them.”
The statement also acknowledged the broader community of fairgoers, vendors, law enforcement, and fair staff impacted by the incident.
Following the shooting, the State Fair banned most people from carrying guns on its grounds, leading to a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, which was rejected by the Texas Supreme Court before the 2024 fair. A legislative bill to allow concealed handgun license holders to carry firearms at the fairgrounds was considered but did not pass.