SEATTLE (AP) – Preliminary investigations revealed that the bullets that fatally struck two bystanders during a shootout at a crowded food festival in Seattle last weekend did not originate from the gun that a 15-year-old suspect was seen firing, as stated in police court documents filed on Wednesday.
The teenager reportedly discharged an untraceable ghost gun into the crowd, prompting the King County prosecutor’s office to levy charges of first-degree assault with a firearm and unlawful possession of a handgun against him. Police further indicated that preliminary tests on bullets recovered from the two deceased bystanders showed no match with the suspect’s weapon.
The tragic incident occurred in the final hours of the Bite of Seattle festival, located near the iconic Space Needle, resulting in three fatalities, including the 19-year-old suspect, Junior Cee Niko Semo, and leaving at least four others, including a toddler, injured. Investigators believe the shooting was gang-related and are working to identify additional individuals who may have been involved. Police Chief Shon Barnes mentioned that there was speculation regarding a potential eighth victim, although the department later confirmed there was no such individual.
Forensic analyses of shell casings ascertained that four distinct weapons were discharged during the gunfire. Police managed to recover three firearms from the scene; however, only two had been fired, suggesting that two additional weapons used in the shootout are still unaccounted for. Consequently, it remains uncertain which weapon or weapons discharged the bullets that caused injuries to festival attendees.
At the time of the shooting, numerous police officers were stationed at Seattle Center, providing security for the event. Some officers reported hearing the gunfire, and one witnessed the 15-year-old discharging his weapon. A bystander described his experience, recalling how he heard gunshots and observed people around him duck for cover. He noted seeing a man in a light blue shirt begin to run, which he believed was the origin of the first shots.
According to the witness, the suspect then unzipped a bag strapped around his torso and brandished a gun equipped with an extended magazine, firing multiple rounds toward another individual involved in the confrontation. Two shell casings from the teenager's ghost gun were recovered at the scene. The teen complied when confronted by an officer, reportedly acknowledging the deceased suspect with the remark, “Love you bro.”
Prosecutors have petitioned a judge to transfer the case to adult court, a process that could extend for months as the judge deliberates the arguments from both sides. The teen's public defender, Hong Tran, indicated on Wednesday that the young man will contest the push for an adult trial.
Should the teen face conviction as an adult, the potential sentencing could range between eight to ten years in prison, with an additional five years possible due to firearm-related enhancements. Nonetheless, in Washington, judges retain the discretion to impose juvenile sentencing even following a conviction in adult court. In the juvenile system, the charges carry a significantly lighter potential sentence of two to 2.5 years, although the specifics of the firearm enhancement's impact on juvenile detention time remain unclear.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased bystanders as Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, and Ashley Whitehead, 56. Villalba was described as a devoted husband and father of three, recognized for his generosity and helpful nature, as evidenced by a GoFundMe campaign initiated to assist his family with funeral costs. Whitehead, who had relocated from Alabama a year prior, was attending the festival with her adult daughter when she was tragically shot. Her cousin, Michelle Whitehead, reported that she succumbed to her injuries during surgery.
In an effort to gather more information, the Seattle police department launched an online portal on Wednesday for the public to submit any video footage or photographs related to the shooting.
