Seattle Center shooting: 2 dead, 5 hurt including boy at festival

Two people were killed and at least five others wounded, including a young boy, in a shooting Sunday evening at Seattle Center, the sprawling civic complex that was hosting the final day of the Bite of Seattle food festival. Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Grace Nuñez said first responders arrived shortly after 6 p.m. and attempted lifesaving measures on two patients, but both succumbed to their injuries.

Details of the Shooting

The gunfire erupted as thousands of attendees were enjoying the last hours of the three-day festival, known for drawing more than 350,000 visitors. Witnesses described a sudden shift from celebration to panic. Estan Wakonabo, who was waiting in line for a photo booth with his girlfriend, told local media that people around them began running frantically. He soon saw individuals on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds, estimating he counted eight people down. Paul Skinner, operating a booth for the food truck Crave, initially thought the sounds were firecrackers but realized something was wrong when crowds started moving in herds. He and others took cover. Another witness, Isaiah Flores Sanches, described the scene as transforming from playful to horrific in an instant, with people dropping to the ground to shield themselves.

Victims and Emergency Response

Nuñez confirmed that four of the injured were transported to the University of Washington’s Harborview Medical Center, the region’s top trauma center. Hospital spokesperson Susan Gregg said all had been shot, with injuries to an arm, leg, abdomen and lower leg. One woman was in critical condition and underwent surgery. The other hospitalized patients were in satisfactory condition: a pediatric male, a 23-year-old male, and a 39-year-old female. Nuñez added that a 40-year-old woman with minor injuries declined transport to a hospital. The identities of the deceased have not been released pending notification of next of kin.

Context: Bite of Seattle Festival

The shooting occurred on the final day of the Bite of Seattle, a free-admission event that annually attracts hundreds of thousands. Seattle Center, built largely for the 1962 World’s Fair, houses landmarks such as the Space Needle, the Coliseum, and the Monorail. The festival was wrapping up when chaos broke out. Organizers have not yet commented on the incident.

Investigation and Next Steps

The Seattle Police Department urged the public to avoid the area as detectives and officers worked to piece together what happened. No suspect description or motive has been released. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have called for anyone with information to come forward. The community now grapples with the aftermath of another mass shooting at a public event, raising questions about safety at large gatherings. Officials are expected to provide updates as more details emerge.