Two people were killed and five others suffered injuries after gunfire erupted on Sunday evening during a popular food festival in Seattle.
The shooting occurred at an events complex near the Space Needle, where the Seattle Center was hosting the annual Bite of Seattle festival.
Following the incident, police advised residents and visitors to stay away from the area while emergency teams responded.
Toddler Among Victims Taken to Hospital
Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Susan Gregg confirmed that the hospital received four patients following the shooting.
Those admitted included a toddler, a 23-year-old man and two adult women. According to Gregg, one of the patients was listed in critical condition.
Details about the other victims and the circumstances surrounding the two deaths were not immediately provided.
Witness Describes Panic at Festival
Festival attendee Estan Wakonabo said he and his girlfriend were waiting in line for a photo booth when someone pushed him from behind. When he turned around, he saw crowds of people suddenly running from the area.
Wakonabo described a chaotic scene in which people tried to hide, pushed past one another and fell to the ground. Baby strollers were also knocked over as attendees attempted to escape.
He initially did not understand what was happening, but after hearing several gunshots, he realised that a shooter was nearby.
After helping his girlfriend reach safety, Wakonabo returned to the scene and saw several victims lying on the ground.
Bite of Seattle Attracts Thousands of Visitors
The Bite of Seattle is an annual food festival that began in 1982. The three-day event typically attracts around 350,000 visitors, making it one of the city’s major summer gatherings.
The shooting disrupted the weekend celebration and prompted authorities to restrict access to the surrounding area.
The shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival left two people dead and five others injured, including a young child.
The violence triggered panic among attendees and brought the large public event to an abrupt halt as police and emergency crews secured the scene.