Two people were killed and several others, including a young child, were injured in a shooting near the Seattle Center on Sunday evening, prompting a large-scale emergency response and disrupting one of the city's biggest annual public events, according to local authorities.
The shooting occurred just after 6 p.m. local time near the Seattle Center, only a block away from the iconic Space Needle, where thousands of people had gathered for the annual Bite of Seattle Festival. The popular event features hundreds of local food vendors, live music performances, and family-friendly activities, drawing large crowds from across the region.
According to the Seattle Fire Department, emergency crews responded swiftly after receiving reports of gunfire in the area. Fire officials confirmed that two people were pronounced dead at the scene despite rescue efforts.
Four additional victims, including a two-year-old child, were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials said all the injured had sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. Another woman who was evaluated at the scene declined transportation to a hospital.
Harborview Medical Center, which received the victims, said all four patients were being treated for gunshot injuries. Hospital officials stated that one woman remained in critical condition, while the injuries sustained by the other victims included wounds to the arm, leg, abdomen, and lower leg. Medical teams continued to monitor the patients as they received emergency treatment.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities, ages, or genders of the deceased victims. Officials also have not released details regarding the circumstances leading up to the shooting or whether the victims were specifically targeted.
As of Sunday night, law enforcement agencies had not announced any information about a suspect or confirmed whether anyone had been taken into custody. Investigators were continuing to examine the scene, collect evidence, and interview witnesses in an effort to determine what triggered the violence.
Police have also not confirmed whether the shooting was directly connected to the Bite of Seattle Festival or whether it occurred independently in the vicinity of the event. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.
The incident caused panic among festival attendees, many of whom fled the area after hearing gunfire. Emergency personnel quickly secured the scene while first responders provided medical assistance to the injured and coordinated their transfer to nearby hospitals.
The shooting also disrupted transportation services in the area. Shortly after the incident, the Seattle Center Monorail announced that it would suspend operations for the remainder of the day due to the ongoing police investigation and public safety concerns. Officials later said normal monorail service was expected to resume on Monday morning.
Also read: Violent clash in Nepal, one dead
The Bite of Seattle Festival is one of the city's largest summer attractions, attracting thousands of visitors each year with food exhibitions, cultural events, and live entertainment. Sunday's shooting cast a shadow over the event and prompted heightened security measures in the surrounding area as investigators worked through the night.
Citing data from the Gun Violence Archive, the Seattle shooting is among at least 271 mass shootings recorded in the United States so far this year. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more victims are shot, excluding the shooter.
The latest shooting adds to growing concerns over gun violence in the United States, where mass shootings continue to occur in public spaces, schools, workplaces, and community gatherings. Authorities in Seattle have urged anyone with information, photographs, or video footage related to the incident to come forward and assist investigators.
Police said the investigation remains active, and additional details, including information about the suspect, motive, and victims, will be released as more facts become available.
Follow us
