Seattle: A summer celebration in downtown Seattle turned tragic on Sunday evening after gunfire erupted at the city’s popular Bite of Seattle food festival, leaving two people dead and five others injured. The sudden burst of violence sent thousands of festival goers running for safety as police and emergency crews rushed to the scene.
The shooting happened shortly after 6 p.m near the Seattle Centre, where the annual festival was drawing large crowds with its food stalls, live music and family activities. Witnesses said the atmosphere changed in an instant. With many first thought were fireworks quickly turned out to be gunshots, triggering panic across the festival grounds.
Emergency responders arrived within minutes and tried to save the victims, but two people were declared dead at the scene. Five others suffered gunshots wounds and were taken to nearby hospitals. Harborview Medical Centre confirmed it was treating several victims, including a toddler, while at least one person remains in critical condition.
Police quickly secured the area and began searching for those responsible. Investigators spent hours collecting evidence, speaking to witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage. As of the latest official update, no arrest have been announced, and authorities have not disclosed a motive behind the attack.
People who were at the festival described terrifying moments as families dropped everything and ran. Parents carried children to safety, vendors abandoned their stalls and visitors hid behind food trucks and nearby buildings. Several eyewitnesses said the confusion lasted for several minutes as people tried to understand what had happened before police moved in.
The Bite of Seattle is one of the city’s biggest summer events, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Sunday’s shooting brought the festivities to an abrupt halt and left many in shock, with festival grounds turning from a place of celebration into an active crime scene within moments.
Officials have urged anyone who witnessed the shooting or recorded videos from the area to come forward and assist investigators. Police say the investigation is ongoing, and more information, including details about the suspect or possible motive, will be released once it has been verified.
The incident is the latest in a series of mass shootings that have shaken communities across the United States, once again raising concerns about public safety at large gatherings. For now, investigators remain focused on identifying those responsible and piecing together exactly what led to the deadly attack.
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