Seattle police arrest suspect after festival shooting
A shooting at the annual Bite of Seattle food festival left three people dead and four others injured, including a toddler.
Seattle police arrest suspect after festival shooting
A shooting at a crowded food festival in Seattle has left three people dead and four others injured, including a toddler. The incident occurred during the Bite of Seattle, an annual three-day festival that draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers.
According to Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis, investigators believe the two suspects were shooting at each other. One suspect surrendered at the scene, while the other fled, prompting a search by law enforcement. Davis stated that there was no ongoing threat to the public, despite the outstanding suspect remaining on the loose.
The gunfire erupted around 6 p.m. In the waning hours of the festival, which was being held beneath Seattle's Space Needle. Dozens of officers were providing security at the event, and some saw one of the suspects firing. A large number of police and emergency crews responded, and the area around the Seattle Center campus was evacuated.
Witnesses described the chaos that ensued after the shooting. Faith Adia Hunter said she and her friends had just gotten food from a crepe vendor when gunfire broke out. "We were right next to him when it started, so we took off running," Hunter said. Roberto Ramirez, a vendor at the event, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers before people began yelling "shooter" and frantically running. Estan Wakonabo said he and his girlfriend were at the festival waiting in line for a photo booth when he was shoved from behind and saw a rush of people fleeing.
The victims included two people who died at the scene and a third who died at a hospital. The four wounded, including a 2-year-old boy, were hospitalized and in stable condition. According to Grace Nuñez, spokesperson for the Seattle Fire Department, the four wounded, including a 2-year-old boy, were hospitalized and in stable condition.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said State Patrol SWAT officers had been deployed to assist local police. Mayor Katie Wilson described the shooting as "an act of horrific violence" and expressed her thanks to the Seattle police officers who responded to the scene and took a suspect into custody.
Two weapons were recovered, and police are still searching for the outstanding suspect. The annual festival, which started in 1982, draws 350,000 attendees over three days of food, drink, and community celebration.
