Multiple people were shot during a chaotic Sunday evening at the Seattle Center near the iconic Space Needle, authorities confirmed. The shooting occurred at the Bite of Seattle food festival, one of the region’s largest annual events, leaving fatalities and several others wounded.
Police arrived at the scene in the area of Sue Bird Court and Thomas Street shortly after 6 p.m. on Sunday evening. The Seattle Police Department confirmed the incident in a statement saying multiple shooting victims had been struck by gunfire at the Seattle Center. A large police and emergency response followed as authorities worked to secure the sprawling complex and attend to the wounded. The Seattle Center was evacuated of guests as officers and paramedics responded to the emergency.
According to multiple reports, two people were killed and several others were injured in the shooting. One source confirmed that two victims died and four remained injured. At least one of the wounded appeared to be a child. Harborview Medical Center indicated it would be receiving patients transported from the scene with gunshot wounds.
The shooting happened during the Bite of Seattle festival, a major annual food and drink celebration that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors. The festival, which began in 1982, was being held over the weekend and features hundreds of local vendors and live music performances. More than 350,000 people were expected to attend the three-day event, which ran from Friday through Sunday.
Witnesses described chaos unfolding as shots were fired. Some attendees said they initially thought the sounds were fireworks before realizing what was happening. Two witnesses told news outlets they heard “seven to eight shots” inside the venue. An employee working at the event said he heard multiple shots in rapid succession, then heard people yelling and screaming. “I was like, ‘Hey, run bro cause someone shooting,’ and then we both hopped the fence,” one carnival game operator told reporters.
People fled in all directions seeking cover and safety. Many climbed over temporary barriers and walls in their rush to escape. Some were directed to the Seattle Armory, where they were sheltered following the shooting.
The Seattle Police Department had not immediately identified or arrested any suspects as of the evening hours. Officers heard reports that a shooter remained outstanding. The agency urged the public to avoid the Seattle Center area while the investigation continued and appealed for information from anyone with knowledge of the incident.
The Seattle Center, a 74-acre entertainment and cultural complex west of downtown, is home to the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Climate Pledge Arena, and numerous other attractions and venues. It serves as a cultural epicenter for events, arts, sports, and health services in the region.
Following the shooting, the Seattle Center Monorail announced it would be closed for the remainder of Sunday and would resume normal operations Monday morning. The facility had been hosting multiple events besides the Bite of Seattle, including a cultural celebration called Festál and a sculpture walk.
Police and detectives began securing the perimeter and collecting evidence at the scene. Investigators interviewed witnesses and were working to establish details about what led to the shooting. Exact information about the total number of victims, their identities, and the precise nature of their injuries was not immediately made public by authorities, who indicated more information would be released as the investigation progressed.