An annual food festival held near Seattle, Washington’s Space Needle turned deadly this year after a gunman opened fire, killing three people and injuring many others. According to officials, shots began ringing out around 6 p.m. local time on Sunday, July 26, 2026, and by the time authorities arrived, there were seven victims.

Deadly Bite of Seattle

The Seattle Police Department is currently investigating the deadly scene at Bite of Seattle this weekend. Seattle Police Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis said that responding officers began administering CPR and first aid to the victims. 

“Our officers were there within seconds. They performed emergency aid to the wounded until the Seattle Fire Department was on scene,” Davis said. “Simultaneously, officers launched a search for the people responsible for this senseless violence.” 

Four of the victims were transported to Harborview Medical Center by the fire department; two were pronounced dead at the scene, and one died while receiving hospital treatment. Per a police news release, those who died were identified as a 19-year-old teenager, a 44-year-old man, and a 56-year-old woman.

Another victim with a gunshot wound showed up at the University of Washington Medical Center a little after the incident, according to Davis. The assistant chief also added that one of the victims was a 2-year-old toddler, but he is in stable condition.

Authorities Issue Press Release

“As of early Monday morning, everyone remained in stable condition at local hospitals,” the press release stated.

“This is a tragedy, I’m really sorry this happened,” Davis said. “The Bite of Seattle is a really positive event, and we haven’t had issues in recent years. Thankfully, we had officers at the scene who were brave, went to those shots and prevented more victims from being injured.”

Authorities do not believe there is a threat to the public and that this was an isolated event. Investigators are working tirelessly to identify the gunmen, but Davis said they believe there were two attendees who opened fire at each other. 

One of the shooters, identified as a “young person,” has been taken into custody, but the other is believed to have fled the scene, and authorities are actively searching for them. “There is no outstanding threat to the community,” Davis confirmed, also noting that two guns were recovered at the scene.

Investigation is Ongoing

In a post on X Sunday evening, the Seattle Police Department said, “Police are investigating a shooting. Multiple shooting victims. Shots fired at the Seattle Center. More information to come. Please avoid the area.”

Just under the original post is a comment from an alleged witness to the incident who posted a video of authorities detaining one of the gunmen and guiding them to what is assumed to be a police car to take them to the station. 

“I was 10 feet away and the officers acted immediately. Great job all. I took this video.  Saw someone dead on the ground,” the post read.

Gun Violence in America

Seattle’s Mayor Katie Wilson called the incident an “unbelievable tragedy and a horrific act of violence,” while simultaneously calling for more gun reform and addressing gun violence in Seattle and the United States. 

There is “far too much gun violence in this city and in this country,” Wilson said, adding that this is the latest shooting since there were “three major incidents of gun violence in just a few days” the other week.

Mass shootings are a major problem in the U.S., and people are too focused on where to place the blame instead of figuring out how to find a solution. Everyone should have one common goal: to protect the people, and whatever means are needed to achieve that should be used.