Authorities were searching for a second suspect who they believe opened fire at a food festival in Seattle, killing three people and injuring four others.
Police said the gunfire erupted when at least two people began firing at one another on July 26 at the Bite of Seattle event, a three-day festival at the Seattle Center, an outdoor park home to the Space Needle.
Authorities took one suspect into custody, while another fled the area and was being sought by police, said Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis. He added that "there may be more" suspects involved and urged witnesses to come forward with information.
"We're still trying to figure this out," Davis said. "We know that there were people out there when this incident occurred, that saw what happened and know some of the people that might be involved."
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Police officers stand guard at a site after Seattle Police responded to what they described as a shooting with "multiple" victims at Seattle Center, which was hosting a Bite of Seattle food festival, in Seattle, Washington, July 26.
Police said the shooting took place at about 6 p.m. PT and, despite lifesaving efforts, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Emergency responders took four other people to nearby hospitals. One woman later died from her injuries. The others, including a two-year-old boy, were listed in stable condition. Officials said a woman with minor injuries refused to be taken to a hospital.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson described the incident as "an act of horrific violence."
"Impacted families are living through the worst moment of their lives, and an entire community is trying to understand how a gathering built around culture, connection, and joy ended in gunfire," she said.
Founded in 1982, Bite of Seattle has been a summer tradition in the Northwest for over 40 years and features over 130 food and beverage vendors, along with live cooking demos, live music and other activities.
People react as they run away from the scene during an incident that Seattle Police described as a shooting with "multiple" victims at Seattle Center, which was hosting a Bite of Seattle food festival, in Seattle, Washington, July 26.
What do we know about the Seattle shooting victims?
The fatal victims included two men, ages 19 and 44, and a 56-year-old woman, according to a statement from the Seattle Police Department.
The agency did not publicly identify those killed in the shooting.
The two men died at the scene despite lifesaving measures. The woman died at Harborview Medical Center, the region’s top-level trauma center, where she and multiple other people were rushed after the shooting.
Police recover 2 guns after food festival shooting
Davis said authorities recovered two firearms at the scene. He did not describe the weapons.
He added that there's no "outstanding threat to the community."
Multiple other local, state and federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, also responded to the scene.
Davis said police have a "limited number of witnesses" and urged more to speak with law enforcement. He also said there were no surveillance cameras in the area where the shooting broke out.
"There are witnesses. They're not coming forward," he said. "We need people to be brave, to reach out to us. You can do so anonymously."
Tyrone Davis, Assistant Chief of Special Operations for the Seattle Police Department, speaks to the members of the media next to Bob Ferguson, Governor of Washington, after Seattle Police responded to what they described as a shooting with "multiple" victims at Seattle Center, which was hosting a Bite of Seattle food festival, in Seattle, Washington, July 26.
What do we know about the Seattle suspects?
Authorities have not released much information about those believed to have opened fire at the festival.
Speaking to reporters late on July 26, Davis said police had one "young person" in custody. He said he could not disclose the age or identity of the suspects, including the one police were searching for.
Davis added that police were "working to determine" whether the two suspects know each other or any of the victims.
"This is going to be an ongoing investigation," Davis said. "We're going to be out here for several hours trying to figure out exactly what happened tonight."
