Ride operator charged with strangling man to death at Jackson County Fair

Altercation with fellow worker

(JACKSON CO INDIANA) A fair worker is charged with murder after allegedly strangling someone to death at the Jackson County Fair in Indiana.

According to an affidavit, Zachariah Konkle, a ride operator, killed a man during an altercation around closing time on July 27.

Konkle told police that a family wanted to file a complaint, saying a game worker had made fun of their child with special needs. Konkle then told the family he would "take care of the problem" himself instead of contacting a supervisor.

Officials said it appears Konkle first approached the wrong person before the victim walked up to him and provoked him.

Both Konkle and the witnesses said the victim hit him first. After some tussling, Konkle said he laid on the victim's back with his chest while the victim gasped for air.

A witness said Konkle punched the victim five or six times in the head and said, "Go to sleep [sic]."

Another witness said Konkle initially left the scene after the victim went still, and the witness began CPR. She then said Konkle returned and pushed her off to do the CPR himself, stating she was doing it wrong.

The victim was taken to the Schenck Medical Center and later transported to Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital, where he died days later on Saturday night.

An autopsy says the victim's cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation and the manner of death was homicide.

Police said Konkle is a registered sex offender, having a criminal record of sexual misconduct with a minor in 2014. His employer told police they were not aware of his sex offender status.