Following a shooting at the annual Bite of Seattle food festival near Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, at least two people were killed and five others including a two-year-old child were injured.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 26, as the Bite of Seattle festival was nearing its conclusion. The shooting prompted a large-scale response from emergency medical services and law enforcement.
The Seattle Fire Department said first responders attempted to save the lives of the two victims upon arriving at the scene, but both succumbed to their injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to local authorities, the five injured victims were transported to nearby hospitals. Among them, a 56-year-old woman remains in critical condition, while the other victims including the two-year-old child sustained injuries to their arms, legs, or abdomen.
Seattle Police confirmed that multiple people were struck by gunfire and urged the public to avoid the Seattle Center and the area surrounding the Space Needle until further notice.
Authorities said the investigation into the motive behind the shooting and the identification of the suspect or suspects remains ongoing. No arrests have been made, and no suspect has yet been identified in connection with the incident.
The Bite of Seattle is one of the city’s largest annual events. Established in 1982, the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Seattle each year.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
