What began as a festive summer evening beneath Seattle’s iconic Space Needle ended in chaos Sunday after a gunfight between two men tore through one of the city’s largest annual events, killing three people—including a 9-year-old boy—and injuring four others.
Authorities say one suspect is in custody while a second gunman remains on the run as investigators work to determine what sparked the deadly exchange.
Panic Breaks Out at Popular Festival
The shooting erupted around 6 p.m. Sunday during the final hours of the Bite of Seattle food festival at Seattle Center, where thousands of people had gathered to enjoy live music, food vendors and family activities.
According to Seattle police, two men exchanged gunfire in the middle of a crowded pedestrian area, sending terrified festivalgoers scrambling for cover.
Parents rushed to shield their children while others fled into nearby buildings, including the Seattle Children’s Museum and the Pacific Science Center, as officers raced toward the sound of gunfire.
▶️ Watch: Latest details on the deadly Seattle festival shooting as police search for the second suspect (CBS News).
Three People Killed
Police confirmed that three innocent victims lost their lives in the shooting.
The victims include:
- A 9-year-old boy
- A 26-year-old man
- A 56-year-old woman, who later died at Harborview Medical Center after being transported in critical condition
Four additional people were wounded and remain hospitalized.
Those injured include:
- A 2-year-old boy
- A 23-year-old man
- A 39-year-old woman
- A 40-year-old woman
Officials said all four survivors were listed in stable condition.
One Suspect Arrested, Another Still Being Hunted
Officers already assigned to security at the festival responded within moments of the shooting.
Police arrested one suspected gunman at the scene and recovered two firearms believed to have been used during the incident.
Investigators say a second suspect fled before officers arrived and remains at large.
Seattle police have launched an intensive search while reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements and forensic evidence in an effort to identify and locate the fleeing suspect.
Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward.
Massive Police Response
The shooting triggered a large-scale emergency response across Seattle Center.
Additional Seattle police officers quickly secured the area while Washington State Patrol personnel assisted with crowd control and the evacuation of thousands of attendees.
Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have also joined the investigation to assist with firearms tracing and ballistic analysis.
Police said there is no ongoing threat to the public, but large sections of Seattle Center remained closed Sunday night as detectives processed the crime scene.
City Leaders React
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson called the shooting a heartbreaking tragedy and praised the officers who rushed toward the danger.
“Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and everyone whose lives were forever changed by this horrific act of violence,” the mayor said.
Seattle Police Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis also credited the rapid response by officers for preventing an even greater loss of life.
Investigation Continues
Detectives are now focused on determining what led to the confrontation between the two gunmen.
Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute between the suspects, though they have not released additional details about a possible motive.
Authorities are reviewing security camera footage from the festival and interviewing witnesses as they continue searching for the second suspect.
The annual Bite of Seattle festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors every summer, making Sunday’s violence one of the deadliest incidents ever to occur at the popular event.
As investigators piece together exactly what happened, a community that came together to celebrate summer is instead mourning the lives lost in a senseless act of gun violence.
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