Three people have been killed and several others injured after a gunman opened fire at a food festival near Seattle's Space Needle on Sunday. The attack took place on the final day of the Bite of Seattle, described as the state's largest free-admission festival.
Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third died later in hospital. Among the wounded was a two-year-old boy, according to the Seattle Police Department. One suspect is in custody, but another is reported to have fled the scene, said Mayor Katie Wilson.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as hundreds of people ran for safety. One man said: "I couldn't tell you there were so many people I saw on the ground it was horrible." Another recalled initially mistaking the gunfire for fireworks before realising what was happening as crowds fled past him.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said his prayers were with the victims' families and responders, while Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said her heart went out to all those impacted by the "senseless violence". Harborview Medical Center said all patients admitted had suffered gunshot wounds, with injuries to the arm, leg, abdomen and lower leg.
Police have urged the public to avoid the area while the investigation continues. The shooting is one of 271 mass shootings in the US so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
