Seattle food festival shooting leaves 2 dead, 5 wounded

A shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival near the Space Needle on Sunday evening left two people dead and five others wounded, according to Seattle fire officials. The gunfire erupted around 6 p.m. at the Seattle Centre, a major events complex just northwest of downtown, sending thousands of festivalgoers fleeing for cover.

Chaos at a beloved community event

The annual festival, which began in 1982 and draws about 350,000 attendees over three days, was in full swing when shots rang out. Witnesses described a scene of sudden panic. Estan Wakonabo, who was waiting in line for a photo booth with his girlfriend, said he was shoved from behind and turned to see a mass of people running. “People were hiding, pushing, falling on the ground – baby strollers were falling,” he told the Seattle Times. When he heard “pop, pop, pop,” he realized it was a shooter. After escorting his girlfriend to safety, he returned to the scene and saw multiple victims on the ground.

Police and emergency crews responded in large numbers, evacuating the area and urging the public to stay away from the vicinity. The motive behind the shooting remained unclear as of Sunday night.

Victims and hospital response

Harborview Medical Center admitted four victims: a toddler, a 23-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman, and a 56-year-old woman. All suffered gunshot wounds, and one of them was in critical condition. A fifth victim, a 40-year-old woman, sustained minor injuries. The total number of fatalities – two – was confirmed by a Seattle fire department spokesperson.

The hospital spokesperson, Susan Gregg, did not provide further details on the conditions of the other patients. The identities of the deceased have not been released pending notification of family.

Festival history and community impact

The Bite of Seattle is a long-standing tradition, featuring food from dozens of local restaurants, live music, and family activities. The shooting has shattered the festive atmosphere, leaving the community in shock. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell (not directly quoted in source) is expected to address the public on Monday. The festival organizers have not yet announced whether the event will continue as planned.

The incident is the latest in a series of mass shootings in public spaces across the United States, reigniting debates about gun control and public safety.

Ongoing investigation and next steps

Police are canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance footage. They have not identified any suspects or a possible motive. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The Seattle Police Department has increased patrols in the area and will provide updates as the investigation develops.

The shooting at a family-friendly event has left many questioning how such violence can occur in a place meant for celebration. As the city mourns, the focus will be on supporting victims and their families while authorities work to bring the perpetrators to justice.