Seattle, Washington: Multiple people were injured after gunfire erupted during the annual Bite of Seattle food festival at the Seattle Center on Sunday, prompting a major emergency response and an ongoing police investigation.
The incident occurred near the city’s iconic Space Needle, where large crowds had gathered for one of Seattle’s most popular community events featuring food vendors, live music and family activities.
In an official update, the Seattle Police Department confirmed that officers were responding to a shooting involving multiple victims. The department urged the public to avoid the area as investigators secured the scene and began their inquiry.
According to local media reports, the injured were transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment. Authorities have not released the exact number of victims or provided details on their medical conditions.
Police have also not confirmed whether anyone has been taken into custody or disclosed a possible motive behind the shooting.
Videos shared on social media showed frightened festival-goers running from the venue moments after gunshots rang out. Witnesses quoted by local media said they heard several shots before panic spread through the crowd, with many people scrambling to find safety.
Some eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion as the densely packed venue made it difficult for attendees to evacuate quickly. Reports on social media also claimed that victims were seen lying on the ground after the shooting. However, officials have not verified those claims, and no fatalities have been confirmed as of the latest official update.
The Bite of Seattle is one of the city’s largest annual festivals, drawing thousands of visitors each year to the Seattle Center. Sunday’s shooting abruptly halted the event and led to a significant police and emergency medical response.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are expected to release additional information as it becomes available.
