A teenager has been arrested in connection with a shooting at a food festival in Seattle that left three people dead and at least four others wounded. The attack occurred near the city's Space Needle over the weekend.
Victims identified
A 19-year-old man, a 44-year-old man, and a 56-year-old woman lost their lives in the incident, authorities said.
Mayor confirms arrest
“Shortly after 6pm last night, officers responded to the sound of gunfire,” Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said on Monday. “They were on scene within seconds and took one suspect into custody.”
The suspect, a 15-year-old, was taken into custody by police. It is understood that two individuals exchanged gunfire outside the Seattle Center Armory.
“We believe this teenager opened fire in the crowd but details are still under investigation,” Wilson added. Officers continue to search for a possible second suspect.
Witness accounts
Faith Adia Hunter, who was at the food festival, said she and her friends had just bought food from a crepe stall when shots rang out. Realizing a gunman was nearby, they fled. “We were right next to him when it started so we took off running,” she recalled. “So we took off running too into the building with the crowd.” She and several others sought refuge in the nearby Seattle Children’s Museum.
Numerous vendors abandoned their stalls and rushed for exits. Hours later, some remained near the scene, waiting to retrieve their belongings.
Roberto Ramirez, a vendor, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers before people began yelling “shooter” and frantically running. “Suddenly everything was empty,” he said. “People were freaked out.”
