Seattle police seek second suspect after festival shooting leaves three dead
Three people were killed and four injured, including a toddler, when gunfire broke out at the Bite of Seattle festival; police have arrested one suspect and are searching for another.
Police in Seattle are searching for a second suspect after gunfire erupted at the Bite of Seattle food festival on Sunday evening, killing three people and wounding four others, including a two-year-old child. Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis said investigators believe the two suspects were shooting at each other and that the remaining suspect poses no ongoing threat to the public, though no description has been released.
Two victims, a 19-year-old man and a 44-year-old man, died at the scene, while a 56-year-old woman died later at a hospital. The injured were taken to local hospitals and were reported to be in stable condition. Police did not confirm whether any of the victims were involved in the confrontation.
The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. during the Bite of Seattle, an annual three-day event that attracts hundreds of vendors and performers. Dozens of officers were on site; some witnessed one suspect firing before one surrendered and the other fled. The area around Seattle Center was evacuated as police and emergency crews responded.
Eyewitnesses described the chaos. Faith Adia Hunter said she and friends were near a crepe vendor when they heard gunfire and sought shelter in the nearby Seattle Children’s Museum. Vendor Roberto Ramirez recalled hearing sounds like firecrackers followed by shouts of “shooter” and people fleeing. Another attendee, Estan Wakonabo, said he heard a series of “pop, pop, pop” sounds and saw people scrambling for safety.
The festival, which began in 1982, typically draws about 350,000 attendees. Police have not responded to media inquiries for further comment.