3 killed, multiple injured, including toddler, in mass shooting at Bite of Seattle - KOMO

In a late press conference Sunday, Seattle police said a mass shooting at Bite of Seattle in Seattle Center left three people dead and at least four others hurt, including a toddler. One person is in custody, and police said they are searching for a possible second suspect involved. Police did not say how old the apprehended suspect was, just that they were a "young person." The shooting was initially reported just after 6 p.m. Sunday, and large numbers of police and emergency crews began arriving in the area of Sue Bird Ct & Thomas St. The Seattle Center was evacuated as more police arrived. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) said at 6:30 p.m., "Police are investigating a shooting. Multiple shooting victims. Shots fired at the Seattle Center. More information to come. Please avoid the area." The SPD said that they currently believe two people were shooting at each other, with attendees not appearing to be targeted. Witnesses told KOMO News it was a chaotic scene as gunfire erupted and people started running. "Seven to eight shots, in Bite of Seattle, right at the fountain," two Bite of Seattle attendees described. "At first I was working, I work right over there, and I thought people were playing a game. I heard boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. I see families running and yelling, and that's when everything just went white," said one witness who was working at the event, who then recounted running into a group of women and children who couldn't get over a fence. He then helped pick up the children and helped lift them over the fence to safety. "I didn't really hear the shots. I heard a couple pops, but I didn't think it was anything big until I saw families, kids, everyone just running out of the fair. Someone said 'active shooter,' and I ran. I jumped the fence," said another worker at the event. Harborview Medical Center officials confirmed it's treating the victims from the shooting. At 7:47 p.m., Seattle Fire stated that two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Four other patients were taken to Harborview. A 39-year-old woman was reported in stable condition and transported by AMR. Paramedics also transported a 2-year-old boy in stable condition, a 23-year-old man in stable condition, and a 56-year-old woman in serious condition. In addition, crews treated a 40-year-old woman with minor injuries who declined transport to a hospital. Police later reported that an additional gunshot wound victim took themselves to the University of Washington medical center. Harborview said that all the patients they received suffered gunshot wounds, and one adult female patient was in surgery in critical condition. The other patients are in satisfactory condition. The range of gunshot injuries for the four patients includes the arm, leg, abdomen, and lower leg. At 10:53 p.m., Seattle police stated that one of the injured victims had died, bringing the total number of deaths to three. At 8: 53 p.m., Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson issued this statement: I'm receiving briefings regarding the ongoing response to the tragedy at the Seattle Center. The Washington State Patrol SWAT team is on the way to assist, at the request of the Seattle Police Department. Please continue to avoid the area. If you are in the area, please follow directions from law enforcement. My prayers are with the families of the victims, and the responders as they work to keep people safe. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson issued a statement Sunday night, where she initially said two suspects were taken into custody. However, this was later updated to state that only one person was in custody. You can read her full statement below: "What happened at the Seattle Center today was an act of horrific violence. Impacted families are living through the worst moment of their lives, and an entire community is trying to understand how a gathering built around culture, connection, and joy ended in gunfire. No one should have to weigh the risk of being shot before attending an event, gathering with friends, or experiencing their city. Our first responsibilities are supporting grieving families, caring for the injured, and providing clear and accurate information for the public. I want to thank the Seattle police officers who responded to the scene and took two suspects a suspect into custody. I also want to recognize Seattle firefighters and medical personnel at Harborview who are treating the injured, as well as Seattle Center and event staff and bystanders who helped people reach safety and provided aid in terrifying circumstances. We know that many people who were not physically injured will carry what they experienced today for a long time. That includes witnesses, workers, first responders, and everyone waiting to learn whether someone they love is safe. Call or text 988 if you or someone you want to help is experiencing a mental health crisis. Gun violence changes families forever. Its trauma reaches far beyond the people struck by bullets. In the days ahead, we will establish what happened and be transparent with the public about what we have learned. Tonight, our attention belongs to the people whose lives were taken, those fighting to recover, and the families beside them. Seattle grieves with you, and we will stand with you in the difficult days ahead." In a late-night press conference, the SPD said that one suspect had been apprehended immediately after the shooting by officers who were posted at the Bite of Seattle. Another suspect was believed to have fled the scene. Two weapons were recovered at the scene. Police also said another person was currently being interviewed, but would not confirm if that person is a second suspect or if the other suspect is still outstanding. Police would not comment on the models of the guns recovered or if the shooting was gang-related The SPD said there were few witnesses who had approached police, and called on the public to come forward if they have any additional information about the shooting. The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office said that the suspect who was arrested will likely appear in court Monday morning and more information will be available following that court appearance.