Three people are dead and four others injured, including a two-year-old boy, after gunfire erupted at the Bite of Seattle festival beneath the Space Needle on Sunday evening. The shooting occurred around 6 p.m. local time during the final hours of the annual event, which draws hundreds of vendors and large crowds. Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis confirmed one suspect had been arrested while another remained at large, though he stated there was no ongoing threat to the public. Officers on site responded immediately, with some witnessing one of the suspects firing before he surrendered.
Two victims died at the scene and a third died later in hospital. The four injured, among them the toddler, were hospitalized in stable condition, according to Grace Nuñez, spokesperson for the Seattle Fire Department. Eyewitnesses described chaos as attendees fled, some taking shelter in the nearby Seattle Children's Museum. Vendor Roberto Ramirez said he initially mistook gunshots for firecrackers before hearing people shout "shooter." Faith Adia Hunter, who was near the crepe stand when gunfire broke out, said she and others ran into a building to escape. Another attendee, Estan Wakonabo, reported seeing people fall and strollers overturning as the crowd stampeded.
Police said they were still investigating the circumstances and could not confirm whether any of the victims were involved in the confrontation. The second suspect remained unidentified and at large as of Sunday night. Authorities have not released a description of the fugitive. The festival grounds were evacuated, and emergency crews secured the sprawling Seattle Center campus. Vendors later waited outside police tape, unsure when they could retrieve their equipment. The Bite of Seattle, which began in 1982, typically draws 350,000 attendees over three days of food and entertainment.
One suspect is in custody while another remains at large, despite dozens of officers being present at the festival. The presence of law enforcement did not prevent multiple deaths and injuries during a public event with high foot traffic. The investigation has not yet linked the victims to the suspects, leaving motive unclear.
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