Seattle: A shooting at the annual Bite of Seattle food festival near the iconic Space Needle left two people dead and five others injured, including a two-year-old child, on Sunday evening. The incident put hundreds of thousands of festivalgoers in fear of getting hurt at one of its biggest summer events in the city’s largest week-long food fest.
The shooting took place at 6:00 p.m. local time at the Seattle Center, where the three-day food festival was taking place. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes as people fled the building and ran for safety when the gunfire erupted in the crowd.
Two Killed, Five Hospitalised
Despite first responders' life-saving efforts, two victims died at the scene, the Seattle Fire Department said.
Five other victims were wounded by gunshot wounds and were admitted to nearby hospitals. One of the wounded is a two-year-old child, authorities said. The victims were not yet officially identified, but officials said they were injured.
Police Launch Investigation
The Seattle Police Department is investigating the shooting.
Police were quick to secure the area while interviewing witnesses and began to search for evidence, police said.
Meanwhile, police haven’t released any information on suspects, motive, or whether any arrests have been made so far.
Panic at Popular Festival
The Bite of Seattle is one of the city’s most popular annual events, drawing thousands of residents and tourists with food stalls, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
The sudden gunfire caused widespread panic, with festival-goers fleeing the area and emergency personnel rushing to assist victims.
As a result, law enforcement officers asked the public to keep away from the area.
Authorities Appeal for Information
Investigators are asking anyone who saw the shooting or captured photos or videos during the incident to contact the Seattle Police Department.
They say eyewitness accounts and digital evidence could help to establish the sequence of events and find those responsible.
Investigation Ongoing
The identities of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of their families.
Police continue to investigate the crime scene and have promised to provide further updates as more information becomes available.
The tragedy has shocked the Seattle community and cast a shadow over one of the city's most celebrated summer festivals.
