15-Year-Old Detained After Seattle Center Shooting Leaves Three Dead

A King County judge on Monday ordered a 15-year-old boy to be held in detention after a gunfight at the Bite of Seattle food festival resulted in three homicides and multiple injuries. Police say at least three shooters opened fire near Climate Pledge Arena, and detectives believe one of the deceased participants exchanged gunfire with the teen. The suspect was apprehended after officers heard gunshots at about 6 p.m. Sunday and found a handgun on his person.

The victims included 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, identified as an associate of the teen, and 44-year-old festival attendee Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, both killed at the scene. A 56-year-old woman, Ashley Whitehead, later died of injuries sustained in the indiscriminate shooting. The King County medical examiner classified all three deaths as homicides.

Injuries were reported for several others, among them a 2-year-old boy who was released from Harborview Medical Center on Monday, a 39-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man who have since been discharged, and a 30-year-old woman treated at the scene. A 27-year-old man was later hospitalized with a gunshot wound, though authorities have not confirmed whether his injury was related to the festival shooting.

Seattle Police Department Assistant Chief Nicole Powell said investigators believe the incident may be gang-related and noted that “there were two groups firing.” Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis added that officials do not consider the other suspect a public threat, though details were not disclosed.

The teen waived his presence in court; Superior Court Judge Tanya Thorp found probable cause for three counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree illegal firearm possession, ordering the boy to remain in secure detention pending an arraignment set for Thursday. Prosecutors indicated the case could be moved to adult court after a discretionary decline hearing, a process that can extend for months or years.

Mayor Katie Wilson and police officials attended a vigil that evening, and the department has asked the public to provide tips to 206-233-5000. Detective Brian Pritchard said the charges could be revised as additional evidence, such as video, becomes available.