Three people were killed and six others wounded, including a 2-year-old boy, in a mass shooting Sunday evening at the Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival, according to authorities. Police took one suspect into custody and were searching for a second individual believed to have been involved in the exchange of gunfire. Investigators said the two suspects may have been shooting at each other, and there was no ongoing threat to the public.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson called the attack «an act of horrific violence.» In a statement, she said, «Impacted families are living through the worst moment of their lives, and an entire community is trying to understand how a gathering built around culture, connection, and joy ended in gunfire. No one should have to weigh the risk of being shot before attending an event, gathering with friends, or experiencing their city.»
The Seattle Fire Department reported that two people were pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving procedures were attempted. Three other victims, including the toddler, were transported to a hospital in stable condition, while a fourth was taken in serious condition. A fifth victim with minor injuries declined transport. Officials later updated the death toll to three without specifying which victim was the latest fatality. Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Susan Gregg said the injuries to the four patients involved an arm, abdomen, and legs. The hospital implemented a modified lockdown for victim safety, and the Seattle Center Monorail was closed for the remainder of the night.
Witnesses described scenes of panic. Kayla Carris, 22, told The Seattle Times she was sitting outside the Armory when people began screaming and running for cover inside. «Everyone was just throwing stuff and running,» she said. Todd Behrends, 59, said he heard several rounds of shots and saw people jumping over each other to escape. One woman fell, and someone stepped on her leg. Behrends said he saw a woman on the ground and a man on a stretcher as he ran toward an exit.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said he was receiving briefings and that State Patrol SWAT officers responded to assist Seattle Police. He urged residents to avoid the area and follow law enforcement instructions. «My prayers are with the families of the victims, and the responders as they work to keep people safe,» Ferguson said on X. U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said she was «absolutely horrified» by the shooting. «My heart goes out to the victims and their families, and all those impacted by this senseless violence,» she wrote. King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said he was «horrified» by the violence, noting that the Bite of Seattle has been a signature summer tradition for years. «To see violence at a place that brings so many people together is heartbreaking and unacceptable,» he said.
The Bite of Seattle food festival, a multi-day event that draws large crowds, was hosting its final evening when the shooting occurred. The Seattle Center, home to the Space Needle and other landmarks, is a popular gathering spot. The investigation remains active, and police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
