Police in Seattle continued to hunt on Monday for a second suspect a day after a burst of gunfire tore through a packed food festival on July 26, 2026, in the shadow of the Space Needle, killing three people and wounding four others, including a toddler. One suspect was taken into custody at the scene Sunday, and investigators believe the two men had been shooting at one another when the chaos unfolded during the closing hours of the Bite of Seattle.
The violence erupted around 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Seattle Center campus, transforming a family-friendly celebration of food and music into a scene of panic. Two victims died at the location, and a third later succumbed at a hospital, according to authorities. The dead included a 19-year-old man, a man aged 44, and a woman who was 56 years old.
What Investigators Know So Far
Seattle Assistant Police Chief Tyrone Davis told reporters Sunday night that although one suspect remained on the run, there was no continuing danger to the public. Officers did not have a description of the person still at large, he said, and it was unclear whether any of the victims had been part of the confrontation between the two suspects.
Davis said officers at the festival saw one suspect shooting, and that suspect surrendered at the scene while the other ran away. The four wounded were all hospitalized. A 2-year-old boy remained in satisfactory condition Monday, authorities said. The three others — two men, ages 23 and 27, and a 39-year-old woman — were treated and discharged.
Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, said a first court appearance for the arrested suspect was anticipated Monday afternoon. Attempts to reach police by telephone and email on Monday morning were not successful.
Chaos Beneath the Space Needle
The Bite of Seattle is an annual three-day event that pulls in hundreds of food and retail vendors along with performers, drawing large crowds to the iconic downtown campus. The gunfire broke out as the festival was winding down, sending attendees scrambling for cover.
Faith Adia Hunter and her friends had just picked up food from a crepe vendor when the shots rang out. She described hearing someone shout before the crowd began to scatter. “We were about to start eating,” Hunter recalled, saying they took off running as people fled around them.
A large contingent of police and emergency crews swarmed the site as the shooting was reported, and responders began clearing the area around the sprawling Seattle Center grounds. Dozens of officers had already been providing security at the event when the violence began.
By Monday, the aftermath was visible across the festival footprint. Vendors who had abandoned their booths as they fled the gunfire returned to pack up their belongings. Among the tents were displays scattered with colorful toys, a jarring contrast to the crime scene tape now marking the grounds.
A City Reacts
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson joined officials at a news conference following the shooting. As the community grappled with the loss, a candlelight vigil was planned for Monday night at the center’s International Fountain, offering residents a place to gather and grieve.
The shooting stood out for occurring at a heavily secured public gathering, where the presence of numerous officers did not prevent the bloodshed. Investigators have not detailed what led to the exchange of gunfire between the two suspects, nor have they said whether the three people killed were bystanders caught in the crossfire.
The identities of the victims had not been publicly released as of Monday, and it remained unclear how the wounded — particularly the 2-year-old boy — came to be struck. Authorities emphasized that the investigation was still in its early stages as they worked to locate the outstanding suspect and reconstruct the sequence of events.
Officials urged anyone with information to come forward as the search widened. With one suspect awaiting his first court appearance and another still unaccounted for, the case underscored the broader challenge of preventing violence even at events staffed with heavy police presence. For a festival that has long served as a summer staple in the city, the closing hours of this year’s gathering ended in tragedy rather than celebration.