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Man arrested for murder of 15-year-old: SPPD

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Published  July 25, 2025 11:55am EDT
Pinellas County
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • Pinellas County deputies say James Acosta, 19, shot and killed Ahmad Albayati, 15, on Wednesday near Clearwater.
    • Investigators say the teen victim had been talking with Acosta about buying a gun.
    • Acosta faces multiple charges, including third-degree murder.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - A man faces a murder charge after Pinellas County deputies say he shot and killed a 15-year-old boy earlier this week.

The backstory:

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, Ahmad Albayati, 15, had been talking with James Acosta, 19, about buying a gun.

Shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, police say Acosta shot Albayati in the back and upper chest and left him lying along the 5300 block of Laurel Place near Clearwater.

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Albayati died at the hospital, according to police.

Deputies later arrested Acosta and booked him into jail on Thursday.

Mugshot of James Acosta. Courtesy: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Mugshot of James Acosta. Courtesy: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

What's next:

Acosta faces charges of third-degree murder, unlawful use of a two-way communications device, and furnishing a firearm to a minor.

Jail records show he's being held without bond.

The Source: This story was written with information from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and Pinellas County Jail records.

Pinellas CountyCrime and Public Safety