‘Horror’ scene after downtown Seattle shooting
On Sunday, July 26, police were seen at the scene of a fatal shooting at a food festival in Seattle, Washington.
Authorities were searching for a second suspect believed to have opened fire at a Seattle food festival, killing three people and injuring at least four others.
The gunshots occurred on Sunday, July 26, during the final night of the Bite of Seattle food festival at Seattle Center, the outdoor park that is home to the Space Needle. The shooting enraged a large crowd of families and vendors, causing people to flee for cover.
A total of seven people were struck by gunfire, Seattle Assistant Police Chief Tyrone Davis said. A 2-year-old boy was among the injured.
Police believe the incident stemmed from a shootout between at least two people near the Seattle Center’s indoor food and event hall. One of the suspects surrendered to police and the other fled the area, Davis said. He added that more people may have been involved and urged witnesses to come forward.
“We’re still trying to figure this out,” Davis said at a news conference hours after the shooting. “We know that we were at the scene when this incident occurred, witnessed what happened and knew some of the people who may have been involved.”
Davis said police were at Seattle Center when the gunshots occurred and responded within seconds. Despite lifesaving efforts, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Several other people were taken to hospitals, and one woman succumbed to her injuries, Seattle police said.
By the next day, medical staff had discharged the three adults, said Susan Gregg, a spokeswoman for the University of Washington School of Medicine. The infant remained at Harborview Medical Center in stable condition, she said.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson called the shooting a “horrific act of violence.”
“The families affected are living the worst moments of their lives, and the entire community is trying to understand how a gathering built around culture, connection, and joy ended in a shooting,” she said.
Founded in 1982, Bite of Seattle has been a Northwest summer tradition for more than 40 years, featuring more than 130 food and beverage vendors, live cooking demos, live music, and other activities.
What do we know about the victims of the Seattle shooting?
Two men, ages 19 and 44, and a 56-year-old woman were killed, Seattle police said. The agency has not released the identity of the victim.
Both men died at the scene. The woman died at Harborview Medical Center, the region’s top trauma center, where she and several other people were taken after the shooting.
As of Monday, July 27, only infants were hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center, said Gregg, a spokesperson for the University of Washington School of Medicine, which operates the hospital. The boy was listed in “satisfactory condition,” she said.
Gregg said a 23-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman have been released from the hospital.
At Montlake University Medical Center, medical staff discharged the 27-year-old man, Gregg said.
Police recover two guns after food festival shooting
Davis said authorities recovered two firearms at the scene. He did not describe the weapon. He added that there was no “significant threat to the community.”
Multiple other local, state and federal agencies also responded to the scene, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Davis said police have a “limited” number of witnesses and called for more dialogue with law enforcement. He also said there were no surveillance cameras in the area where the shooting occurred.
“There are witnesses. They have not come forward,” he said. “We need people who have the courage to contact us. They can do so anonymously.”
What do we know about the Seattle suspect?
Authorities have not released much information about the person believed to have opened fire at the festival.
Davis told reporters late on July 26 that police had one “youth” in custody. He said he could not reveal the ages or identities of the suspects, including the person police are searching for.
Davis said police are investigating whether the two suspects know each other or know any of the victims.
“This will be an ongoing investigation,” Davis said. “We’re going to stay here for a few hours tonight to find out exactly what happened.”
