Two killed, five wounded in shooting at Seattle Center food festival; suspect in custody
A beloved summer tradition turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy Sunday evening when gunfire erupted at the Bite of Seattle food festival in the Seattle Center, killing two people and wounding five others, authorities confirmed.
Seattle Police said a suspect was taken into custody shortly after the shooting, which unfolded around 6 p.m. PT near the city's iconic Space Needle. The Seattle Fire Department pronounced two victims dead at the scene despite lifesaving efforts. Four others were transported to local hospitals with injuries ranging from serious to stable, while a 40-year-old woman who suffered minor injuries declined medical transport.
The injured include a 56-year-old woman, a 39-year-old woman, a 23-year-old man, and a 2-year-old boy. The fire department noted ages were approximate. A toddler being among the wounded underscored the randomness and horror of the attack.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, who initially said two people were in custody before correcting the statement, called the shooting “an act of horrific violence.”
“Impacted families are living through the worst moment of their lives, and an entire community is trying to understand how a gathering built around culture, connection, and joy ended in gunfire,” Wilson said. “No one should have to weigh the risk of being shot before attending an event, gathering with friends, or experiencing their city.”
The Bite of Seattle, founded in 1982, has been a summer staple for more than four decades, drawing crowds to the 74-acre Seattle Center complex with over 130 food and beverage vendors, live cooking demonstrations, music and family activities. Sunday’s violence shattered the festive atmosphere, leaving attendees scrambling for safety.
Estan Wakonabo, 35, told The Seattle Times he was at the festival with his girlfriend when shots rang out. “It was just pure chaos,” he said, describing people trampling one another during the melee and several gunshot victims on the ground.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, in a post on X, said the State Patrol SWAT team was en route to assist at the request of Seattle police. “My prayers are with the families of the victims, and the responders as they work to keep people safe,” Ferguson wrote.
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, condemned the “senseless violence” and expressed gratitude to first responders. “Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this senseless violence,” she said.
The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded, highlighting the multijurisdictional gravity of the incident. The shooting is the latest in a string of high-profile mass shootings at public gatherings in the U.S., reigniting debates over gun safety and public event security.
Mayor Wilson vowed transparency, saying, “Gun violence changes families forever. Its trauma reaches far beyond the people struck by bullets. In the days ahead, we will establish what happened and be transparent with the public about what we have learned. Tonight, our attention belongs to the people whose lives were taken, those fighting to recover, and the families beside them.”
The investigation remains ongoing. Officials have not yet released the suspect’s name or a possible motive.
Contributing: Zachary Fletcher, Kitsap Sun; Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY.