A happy summer evening turned into an absolute horror on Sunday night when a mass shooting erupted at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival. Two people died and at least five others -- including a child, among them -- were wounded in the mass shooting, which sent thousands of festival-goers into panic.
The gunfire erupted shortly after 6 p.m. at the core of the 74-acre complex, near the iconic Space Needle and the central fountain. Witnesses said they saw loud pops that many thought were fireworks or festival equipment until they realized they were in fact hearing real gunfire. Then panic erupted as families, employees and tourists ran out of the building to escape.
Emergency dispatchers were flooded with calls immediately, and police cruisers, fire engines and ambulances rushed to the area near Sue Bird Court and Thomas Street. Two people were confirmed dead at the scene, said Seattle Fire Department spokesman Mike Young.
Police are investigating a shooting. Multiple shooting victims. Shots fired at the Seattle Center. More information to come. Please avoid the area.
— Seattle Police Department (@SeattlePD) July 27, 2026
Five other victims had gunshot wounds and were rushed to Harborview Medical Center, one of the top trauma hospitals in the region. One adult female was in critical condition and one 56-year-old woman in serious condition. Paramedics also transported a two-year-old boy, a 23-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman who had non-life-threatening extremity wounds and were in stable condition at the scene. One woman was treated at the scene for minor injuries and declined an ambulance transport and sent home.
The Seattle Police Department locked down and cleared the sprawling complex, and warned people on social media to stay away from it. A law enforcement source confirmed that at least one suspect was taken into custody in the incident and that federal and state agencies - the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Washington State Patrol - were all on hand to help local authorities with the ongoing investigation.
Local leaders are deeply heartbroken and devastated, they say. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson issued a statement about the terrible violence that shattered a community event that is a community forum of culture, community, and connection and joy. The Bite of Seattle festival, a city’s signature event with hundreds of thousands of people coming together for the weekend, was suspended and local transit lines like the Seattle Center Monorail and other lines of public transportation were forced to shut down as forensic investigators combed the crime scene. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation and mental health professionals are asking anyone who has experienced trauma or distress from the shooting, Wilson said, to seek help from mental health professionals.
