‘Pure chaos’: Mass shooting at Seattle Center leaves 2 dead, 5 wounded
A mass shooting occurred at the Seattle Center around 6 p.m. on Sunday during the Bite of Seattle food festival. Two people are confirmed dead, and at least five others are receiving medical care for gunshot wounds, including a 2-year-old boy. The incident triggered immediate chaos across the 74-acre park as thousands of festival attendees scrambled for cover.
Witnesses reported hearing rapid gunfire near the Climate Pledge Arena and the Seattle Center Armory. Attendees described a scene of panic as crowds pushed to escape the area. Emergency personnel and police officers responded to the site, while Harborview Medical Center confirmed it is managing the incoming patients. One 56-year-old woman is currently in surgery and in critical condition.
Police have not yet confirmed if anyone is in custody regarding the attack. Authorities continue to request that the public avoid the park vicinity while the investigation proceeds. The Seattle Monorail service is suspended for the remainder of the day.
This event interrupted what is typically one of the busiest weekends for the Seattle Center campus. Last year, the festival saw nearly 300,000 visitors. Further details on the suspect or the motive for the attack remain unavailable at this time.