SEATTLE (AP) — A heartbreaking incident unfolded at a Seattle food festival near the iconic Space Needle, where two individuals lost their lives and five others sustained injuries in a shooting on Sunday evening, according to a spokesperson for the city’s fire department.
Authorities are actively investigating the tragic event and have issued a warning for the public to steer clear of the area located just northwest of downtown Seattle.
The shooting incident took place around 6 p.m. at the Seattle Center amidst the bustling Bite of Seattle festival, sending shockwaves through attendees and the community.
Susan Gregg, a representative for Harborview Medical Center, confirmed that their facility received four victims, including a young child, a 23-year-old man, and two adult women.
Gregg noted that one of these patients is currently in critical condition, highlighting the severity of the injuries sustained.
The Seattle Center was hosting the Bite of Seattle food festival over the weekend. A large number of police and emergency crews responded around 6 p.m. and began evacuating the area.
Estan Wakonabo said he and his girlfriend were at the festival waiting in line for a photo booth when he was shoved from behind and he turned to see a rush of people fleeing.
“People were hiding, were pushing, people were falling on the ground, baby strollers were falling,” Wakonabo said, adding that was when he heard gunshots.
“Once I heard a ‘pop, pop, pop,’ that’s when I knew it was a shooter,” he said.
After he escorted his girlfriend to safety, he returned to the scene to make photos and saw multiple victims on the ground, Wakonabo said.
The annual festival started in 1982 and draws 350,000 attendees over “three days of food, drink, and community celebration,” according to its website.