3 Dead, 5 Injured After Gunfire Erupts at Crowded Seattle Center Event

Tragedy at Seattle Center

A massive weekend gathering at the Seattle Center ended in bloodshed Sunday evening when a shootout left three people dead and five others injured.

Police gather at the scene of the shooting at the Seattle Center.

According to first responders, the violence erupted when at least two individuals exchanged gunfire in a densely packed area. Up to 350,000 attendees were expected to visit the grounds over the weekend for the annual Bite of Seattle food festival, the Festál cultural art exhibition, and a sculpture walk.

The Victims

Seattle police confirmed the deaths of a 19-year-old man, a 44-year-old man, and a 56-year-old woman. The woman succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to Harborview Medical Center.

First responders and emergency vehicles at the Seattle Center following the incident.

Among the five injured survivors was a 2-year-old boy. Hospital officials reported the toddler remained in satisfactory condition as of Monday morning.

Two other victims treated at Harborview, a 39-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man, were discharged on Monday. A 27-year-old man who received treatment at UW Medical Center-Montlake has also been released.

Teen Arrested as Shooters Remain at Large

Authorities have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with the deadly dispute. However, police stress the investigation is far from over.

Seattle Police Department Assistant Chief of Special Operations Tyrone Davis confirmed investigators recovered two firearms at the scene. He noted that at least one other suspect is still on the run, and there “may be more” individuals involved.

“We’re still trying to figure this out,” Davis told reporters.

The investigation faces a significant hurdle, as Davis stated there are no CCTV or security cameras in the immediate area where the bullets flew. The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation is now offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the remaining suspects.

Police urge anyone with details to call the SPD tip line at 206-233-5000.

Panic in the Crowd

Witnesses described a terrifying scene as the gunfire broke out around 6 p.m. Attendees were walking shoulder-to-shoulder through the festival grounds when half a dozen shots rang out.

Law enforcement officials secure the perimeter of the sprawling festival grounds.

“We just heard what at first sounded like firecrackers, but it’s just a little too crowded for that kind of thing,” one attendee recalled. “So then when the crowd started moving quickly in herds, you knew something was happening.”

KING 5 meteorologist Adam Claibon was attending the event off-duty with friends. Positioned just a five-minute walk from the gunfire, he watched the chaos unfold firsthand.

“My friends and I started to see a large mass of people running towards us,” Claibon said. “At that point we kind of knew we’re dealing with a shooting situation right here.”

Citywide Disruptions

The shooting prompted immediate closures across the surrounding area. The Seattle Monorail suspended service for the remainder of Sunday, eventually reopening at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, July 27.

The Pacific Science Center also announced it would remain closed on Monday, confirming that guests who had purchased tickets for the day would receive full refunds.