Three people have been killed and four others remain in hospital after a shooting at the Seattle Center during the annual Bite of Seattle food festival, according to Seattle Police.
Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis said two victims died at the scene, while a third later died from injuries after being taken to Harborview Medical Center.
Seattle Fire Department officials said the four people being treated in hospital include a two-year-old boy, who is in a stable condition.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said that one suspect had been taken into custody, revising an earlier statement in which she had said two suspects had been detained.
The shooting occurred at around 6pm local time at the Seattle Center, where thousands of people had gathered for the final day of the Bite of Seattle food festival near the city’s landmark Space Needle.
Witnesses told local media they initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks before the crowds fled in panic. One attendee described the scene as “pure chaos”, while another said that parents rushed to carry their children to safety as people ran towards exits and sought shelter inside the Space Needle.
Harborview Medical Center, which is treating several of the victims, confirmed that it had entered a partial lockdown following consultations with Seattle Police to protect patients, families and staff.
Hospital officials said four people were receiving treatment, including the two-year-old child. One woman was undergoing surgery, while the other patients were reported to be in satisfactory condition.
Mayor Wilson described the shooting as an “unbelievable tragedy and a horrific act of violence”, adding that there was “far too much gun violence in this city and in this country”. She noted that Seattle had experienced three major gun violence incidents within a matter of days.
