A shooting occurred at a food festival in Seattle on Sunday night, resulting in at least two fatalities and five injuries. Eyewitnesses and local officials reported that a rush of gunfire sent the crowd into a panic.
The incident took place around 6 p.m. local time at the Seattle Center during the “Bite of Seattle” festival. Police confirmed multiple shots were fired.
The Seattle Fire Department reported that two people died, with five others hurt, including a 2-year-old boy and four women aged between 23 and 56. Fortunately, their conditions are stable, but details surrounding the deceased have not been disclosed yet.
Many attendees were present when gunshots erupted. One participant, Estin Waconabo, 25, recounted how the crowd began to flee in chaos. “It was just pure chaos,” he stated, describing a scene where people were trampling over one another in the panic.
After he returned to take photos, he noticed several individuals lying on the ground with bodies covered by yellow sheets.
As police responded, they confirmed that several victims had been shot during what they described as a “mass casualty incident.” Nearby Harborview Medical Center has gone into lockdown as a precaution due to heightened police activity in the vicinity.
Authorities advised local residents to steer clear of the Seattle Center area, particularly near the Space Needle, while search operations continued. There’s still no information available regarding the gunman or the overall victim count, and investigators are actively pursuing leads.
The situation remains fluid, and updates will follow.
