Police continued their search Monday for a second suspect involved in a shooting that erupted at a crowded food festival beneath Seattle’s Space Needle, killing three people and wounding four others, including a toddler. One suspect was arrested earlier.
Investigators believe the two suspects were firing at each other during the incident Sunday, according to Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis. Davis stated Sunday night that despite one suspect remaining at large, there was no ongoing threat to the public. No description of the outstanding suspect has been released.
Two victims died at the scene, and a third succumbed to their injuries at a hospital. The deceased have been identified as two men, aged 19 and 44, and a 56-year-old woman. The four individuals wounded, including a 2-year-old boy, were hospitalized and in stable condition as of Monday morning. The remaining injured were adults. Police have not confirmed if any of the victims were involved in the altercation.
The gunfire broke out around 6 p.m. Sunday, during the final hours of the annual three-day Bite of Seattle festival. Dozens of officers were present for security, and some witnessed one of the suspects firing, Davis said. One suspect surrendered at the scene, but the other fled. A search of the festival grounds yielded no immediate results.
Law enforcement and emergency crews responded rapidly, initiating an evacuation of the Seattle Center campus. Witnesses described a scene of chaos, with many attendees seeking shelter in nearby buildings, such as the Seattle Children’s Museum.
Faith Adia Hunter, who was at the festival with friends, recounted hearing gunshots and seeking refuge inside a building with a crowd of panicked people. Roberto Ramirez, a vendor at the event, said he initially heard what sounded like firecrackers before hearing shouts of “shooter” and witnessing people fleeing. Estan Wakonabo, who was waiting in line with his girlfriend, described being pushed from behind before seeing a rush of people running and hearing multiple gunshots.
The Bite of Seattle, which began in 1982, typically draws an estimated 350,000 attendees.