Number of suspects in fatal Seattle food festival shooting rises to three
Seattle police now report that three individuals were involved in a shooting at the annual Bite of Seattle food festival. Authorities previously focused on two suspects, but updated court documents indicate a third person is under investigation. One suspect remains at large while another died at the scene during the exchange of gunfire.
The incident resulted in three fatalities and at least four injuries. Victims included 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, 44-year-old Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, and 56-year-old Ashley Whitehead. Police believe Semo was an active participant in the violence. A two-year-old boy is among the injured survivors currently receiving medical treatment.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as attendees scrambled for safety near the Space Needle. Many festival goers hid behind merchandise displays or fled into the nearby children's museum to avoid the gunfire. The event typically draws over 350,000 visitors, making the scale of the panic significant.
Assistant Police Chief Nicole Powell stated the violence appears gang-related, though the investigation remains in early stages. Officials recovered two firearms at the site. A 15-year-old suspect is currently in custody after waiving an initial court appearance. Mayor Katie Wilson confirmed that law enforcement agencies continue to search for the remaining unidentified suspect.