Sandusky shooting suspect pleads guilty

SANDUSKY — A basketball coach accused of shooting at a parent in the Cedar Point Sports Center parking lot last year pleaded guilty to three felonies in Erie County Court on Wednesday. Mario Lacy Sr., 42, was convicted of second-degree felonious assault, a third-degree felony weapons offense and a fourth-degree inducing panic charge for allegedly shooting a 33-year-old Euclid man at the Cedar Point Sports Center in April 2021. According to Sandusky police, Lacy was coaching a youth basketball team at the facility April 12, 2021, and a dispute between Lacy and a parent of one of his players escalated to gun violence in the parking lot. Lacy allegedly shot the man twice and the victim was treated in hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Lacy was initially indicted on ten felonies, including two charges of attempted murder and three counts of endangering children. On Wednesday, he pleaded guilty to felonious assault, having weapons under disability and including panic and the remaining charges were dismissed. As of Thursday afternoon Lacy was still listed on Erie County Jail's roster. Lacy's bond was revoked in January but has been reinstated at $25,000 under the condition he remains on house arrest and has no contact with the victims. Lacy could face a sentence of close to 15 years, according to the plea form, citing what prosecutors recommended to the judge. His sentencing hearing is set for Aug. 23.