2 Dead, 5 Injured in Shooting Near Seattle's Space Needle
A shooting near Seattle's Space Needle during the Bite of Seattle festival left two dead and five injured, including a 2-year-old boy. Police are investigating the incident that sent crowds fleeing.
Two people were killed and at least five others were injured in a shooting near Seattle's Space Needle on Sunday evening, the Seattle Fire Department reported. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. local time at Seattle Center, a popular tourist destination, during the Bite of Seattle food festival. The Seattle Police Department is investigating, and no suspect information has been released as of late Sunday night.
Casualties and Emergency Response
The fire department confirmed that two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene after life-saving efforts failed. Medics treated five other victims: a 56-year-old woman was transported to a local hospital in serious condition, while three others—including a 2-year-old boy—were taken in stable condition. A fifth victim sustained minor injuries and declined hospital transport. The department did not disclose the specific nature of the injuries.
Panic and Chaos at the Scene
Witnesses described a scene of sudden terror. Nick Bate, who was at the festival, told KIRO-TV that he initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks. “At first, I thought there were fireworks, and then everybody flooded and ran past us,” he said. Leanne Coles recounted running through a garden and ducking before joining the fleeing crowd. “We decided to keep running with the crowd until we looked up for the Space Needle to try to keep track of where we were. It was really scary,” she told the station. KIRO reporter Heather Bosch reported seeing at least one person receiving CPR at the scene.
Context and Investigation
The shooting took place at Seattle Center, which houses the iconic Space Needle and Climate Pledge Arena, home to the Seattle Kraken and Seattle Storm. The Bite of Seattle festival was underway, drawing large crowds. The Seattle Police Department posted on X, urging the public to avoid the area while they investigated. As of Sunday night, no arrests had been made, and the motive remains unclear. The department has not indicated whether the shooting was targeted or random.
The incident adds to a growing list of mass shootings in public spaces across the United States. The Seattle Center, typically a family-friendly venue, will likely see heightened security in the coming days. Community leaders have called for calm and cooperation with law enforcement as the investigation unfolds.
