Multiple Injured In Mass Shooting At Food Festival In US' Seattle

Multiple Injured In Mass Shooting At Food Festival In US' Seattle

Two people were killed and five others wounded after a gunman opened fire Sunday, July 26, 2026, during the Bite of Seattle food festival. The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. At the Seattle Center, a 74-acre entertainment and cultural complex located northwest of downtown Seattle and home to the Space Needle and Climate Pledge Arena.

According to the Seattle Fire Department, two victims were pronounced dead at the scene despite lifesaving efforts. Another five people were injured, including a 2-year-old boy, a 23-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman, and a 56-year-old woman. A 40-year-old woman sustained minor injuries but declined hospital transport.

Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Susan Gregg confirmed the hospital admitted four of the victims, including the toddler and the 23-year-old man. Some reports, including those from NewsX, claimed at least 6 people were shot dead, though city fire department officials maintained the death toll at two.

The gunfire erupted on the final day of the festival, which ran from July 24 to July 26. Founded in 1982, the Bite of Seattle typically attracts 350,000 attendees over three days. Witnesses described a scene of immediate chaos as people fled in all directions. Some attendees initially believed the rapid bursts of gunfire were fireworks, while others reported hearing 7-8 shots inside the venue.

"People were hiding, were pushing, people were falling on the ground, baby strollers were falling,"

Estan Wakonabo, witness, via The Seattle Times

Wakonabo, 35, told The Seattle Times he was waiting in line for a photo booth with his girlfriend when he was shoved from behind. He stated that once he heard a pop, pop, pop, he knew there was a shooter. He described the event as pure chaos and said he later saw multiple victims on the ground.

A massive emergency response followed the reports of gunfire. The Seattle Police Department used X to notify the public that multiple victims had been shot and urged people to avoid the area. Local, state, and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, responded to the scene. Following the incident, the Seattle Monorail closed for the remainder of Sunday.

Reports regarding a suspect vary. NewsX cited reports that police arrested one person following the mass shooting, though it remained unclear if that individual was the shooter. Other reports indicate that police have not yet released information on arrests or a possible motive. Unverified claims on social media suggested a semi-automatic AR-15 was used in the attack.

U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, described the attack as senseless violence and stated that Gov. Bob Ferguson and Mayor Katie Wilson were monitoring the situation. She expressed gratitude for the first responders and the Seattle Police Department.

This event follows another mass shooting on July 19 in Tucson, Arizona. In that incident, ten people, including the suspect, were injured around 2 a.m. In downtown Tucson. Tucson Police Department officers shot and took a suspect into custody after he ignored orders to stop while fleeing the scene. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero characterized that event as another serious and senseless act of gun violence.

The Seattle Monorail system was scheduled to reopen on Monday, July 27, at 7:30 a.m. PT. The investigation into the Seattle Center shooting remains active as detectives interview witnesses and gather evidence.