Gunfire erupts near the iconic Space Needle during the annual Bite of Seattle event, sending thousands of festivalgoers fleeing in terror.
SEATTLE : Two people were killed and five others wounded, including a two-year-old child, when a gunman opened fire Sunday evening during a crowded food festival at the Seattle Center events complex.
The shooting broke out around 6:00 p.m. local time near the Space Needle in the closing hours of the Bite of Seattle, an annual summer gathering that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Seattle Fire Department officials confirmed two victims died at the scene after emergency resuscitation efforts failed. Paramedics transported four wounded individuals to Harborview Medical Center, including a 2-year-old boy, a 23-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman, and a 56-year-old woman in serious condition. A 40-year-old woman suffered minor injuries and declined hospital transport.
“It was just pure chaos,” said Estan Wakonabo, 25, who was attending the festival with his girlfriend. “People were hiding, pushing, falling on the ground, and baby strollers were tipping over as everyone tried to escape.”
Police officers and emergency response teams descended on the 74-acre park complex, ordering crowds to evacuate and cordoning off large sections of the grounds. Authorities redirected surrounding transit lines and shut down the Seattle Center Monorail for the evening.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson confirmed that State Patrol SWAT officers were deployed to assist local law enforcement with securing the perimeter and sweeping nearby buildings. At the adjacent Pacific Science Center, moviegoers inside an IMAX theater were instructed to raise their hands and clear the building as armed tactical officers moved through the venue.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson confirmed that law enforcement detained one suspect in connection with the shooting. Detectives continue to interview witnesses and review video footage to determine what precipitated the violence.
The Bite of Seattle, established in 1982, is one of the city’s largest community events, featuring hundreds of food vendors, live music, and family entertainment over three days.
