SEATTLE (AP) – Authorities in Seattle are searching for a second suspect involved in a shooting incident that occurred at a crowded food festival beneath the iconic Space Needle on Sunday. The gunfire resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals and left four others injured, including a toddler. One suspect has been arrested, while the second remains at large.
According to police, the two suspects were reportedly engaged in a shootout. During a news conference on Sunday night, Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis assured the public that there was no ongoing threat despite one suspect's absence. However, as of Monday morning, investigators still had no description of the fugitive suspect.
In the unfortunate incident, two men, aged 19 and 44, died at the scene, while a 56-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. The four injured individuals, including a 2-year-old boy, were hospitalized but were reported to be in stable condition on Monday. It is unclear if any of the victims were part of the initial confrontation, as police continue to investigate.
The gunfire erupted around 6 p.m. on Sunday during the final hours of the Bite of Seattle festival, a three-day event that showcases food and retail vendors along with live performances. Multiple police officers were stationed at the event for security, with some witnessing one of the suspects firing their weapon. One suspect surrendered immediately, while the other fled the scene, prompting an extensive search of the area, which yielded no results.
In the aftermath of the shooting, a considerable number of police and emergency services arrived quickly to evacuate the area surrounding the Seattle Center campus. Faith Adia Hunter, who was attending the festival, described the sudden chaos as she and her friends sought shelter in the nearby Seattle Children's Museum after realizing a shooter was present. “We took off running too into the building with the crowd,” she recalled.
According to festival vendor Roberto Ramirez, the sounds of the gunfire were initially mistaken for firecrackers, leading to panic as people yelled “shooter” and scrambled away. “Suddenly everything was empty,” he said, describing the frantic scene as vendors abandoned their stalls in fear.
Estan Wakonabo, another festival attendee, recounted the harrowing moment when he was shoved from behind and saw the rush of people fleeing. “People were hiding, were pushing, people were falling on the ground, baby strollers were falling,” he explained, further sharing that it was at that moment he also heard the distinct sound of gunshots. After ensuring his girlfriend was safe, he returned to capture images of the aftermath and reported seeing multiple victims on the ground.
The Bite of Seattle festival, which began in 1982, typically attracts around 350,000 attendees each year, drawing in a diverse crowd eager to enjoy the various food options and entertainment.
The investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing, with police urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue their search for the outstanding suspect.
