A live streamer filming at the Bite of Seattle food festival inadvertently recorded a mass shooting as panicked attendees fled for safety. Three people were killed, and police have arrested one suspect while searching for another.
Gunfire Erupts at Food Festival
The vendor from Hawaiian Honey Cones was live-streaming around 6 pm local time (2 am BST) during the final hours of the annual event. He was telling followers he was "one viral video away from 100,000 subscribers" when the shooting began behind him. In the footage posted on X, he looks behind him and says: "a shooting? right here? get down, get down." He then tells colleagues: "Get the register and the tips," as he continues filming.
Injuries and Response
Among the wounded was a two-year-old boy; the other injured were adults, according to Grace Nuñez, a spokesperson for the Seattle fire department. Hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg revealed that victims sustained injuries to the arm, abdomen, or legs. A large police and emergency crew responded and began evacuating the Seattle Centre events campus. Authorities have not disclosed the exact location of the shooting, which featured both outdoor and indoor areas.
Suspects and Investigation
Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis stated that detectives currently have no description of the remaining suspect. Investigators believe the two suspects were firing at each other and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said he was receiving briefings and that State Patrol Swat officers were dispatched to assist local police. "My prayers are with the families of the victims, and the responders as they work to keep people safe," Mr Ferguson said in a statement.
Witness Accounts
Numerous vendors fled toward exits, leaving behind their food stalls. Hours later, some lingered beyond the police cordon, uncertain when they could retrieve their equipment. Roberto Ramirez, a trader at the event, said he heard what sounded like fireworks before people started shouting "shooter" and desperately fleeing. "Suddenly everything was empty," he said. "People were freaked out." The annual festival began in 1982 and attracts 350,000 visitors across "three days of food, drink, and community celebration," according to its website.
