Two killed and five injured in Seattle Center shooting during food festival
Two people died and at least five others, including a toddler, were wounded in a shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday night as a food festival was concluding.
Two people were fatally shot and at least five others were injured during a shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday night, according to officials. The incident occurred as the Bite of Seattle food festival was wrapping up its three-day event. Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Grace Nuñez said first responders attempted lifesaving measures for two victims but were unsuccessful. The injured include a 2-year-old boy, three women aged 39, 40 and 56, and a 23-year-old man; the 56-year-old woman remains in serious condition while the 40-year-old woman sustained minor injuries and declined transport. The remaining patients were stabilized at the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center.
Seattle Police Department officials asked the public to avoid the area while detectives investigate the circumstances of the shooting. Witnesses described a sudden rush of people and hearing sounds that initially seemed like firecrackers before realizing a violent event was unfolding. The civic center complex, which includes the Coliseum, the monorail and the Space Needle, was the location of the incident.
"We just heard what at first sounded like firecrackers, but it’s just a little too crowded for that kind of thing," said Paul Skinner, who was operating a festival booth at the time.
The police have not confirmed whether the festival was directly targeted.