A shooting broke out Sunday night at the Seattle Center, in the heart of Seattle, as thousands of people attended the Bite of SeattleOne of the city's most important food festivals was held there. Two people were killed and five others injured. Among the victims was a child just two years old. The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. in the immediate vicinity of the Space Needle. A man has been taken into custody, but investigators are still trying to determine if he was the shooter, if he acted alone, and what triggered the shooting.
Two dead and five people hospitalized
Emergency services treated seven victims. Two of them died from their injuries. Five others were taken to the hospital, including a 2-year-old child. A 56-year-old woman was also in serious condition. The other injured suffered wounds to their arms, abdomen, and legs. Authorities did not immediately release the identities of those killed or specify any possible connections between the victims. The shooting occurred on the final day of the Bite of Seattle was drawing to a close. The area was still particularly busy with families, visitors and employees of the many stalls set up for the weekend.
Thousands of people gripped by panic
The first shots triggered panic in the crowd. Witnesses reported hearing several gunshots before seeing participants run in all directions. Families sought refuge in nearby buildings. Several vendors hastily abandoned their stalls to take shelter. The Seattle Children's Museum opened its doors to people trying to escape the gunfire and the stampede. In moments, the food festival descended into chaos. Police officers ordered those present to leave the area immediately and urged the public to avoid it altogether.
The Seattle Center is completely sealed off.
A large security presence was deployed around the Seattle Center. The area was cordoned off for several hours to allow emergency responders to attend to the victims and investigators to conduct their initial inquiries. The FBI and federal agents from the ATF were mobilized alongside local police. A SWAT unit from the Washington State Patrol was also dispatched to the scene to reinforce the forces and secure the surrounding area. Law enforcement searched the area to ensure no other shooters were present. They also gathered witness statements and searched for any video footage that could help reconstruct the sequence of events.
A suspect has been placed in police custody
A man was arrested after the shooting and taken into custody. His identity has not been released. Investigators must now determine his exact role and verify if he was the sole shooter involved. No official motive has yet been announced. Authorities are particularly interested in determining whether the shooting was targeted at specific individuals or if it erupted following an altercation within the festival. Police are also trying to establish how many shots were fired, what weapon was used, and how the suspect was able to move around in a venue hosting several thousand people.
A family celebration abruptly interrupted
Created in 1982, the Bite of Seattle It is one of the city's major popular events. Held over three days, it usually draws several hundred thousand visitors to dozens of restaurants, stalls, and entertainment venues. The shooting occurred as this year's event was drawing to a close. Police are continuing their investigation to formally identify the shooter, understand the exact circumstances of the shooting, and determine if others may have been involved.
