Three killed and four wounded in shooting at Seattle Center food festival

Three people were killed and four others, including a toddler, were wounded after a shooting broke out at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival on Sunday 26 July 2026 evening.

The shooting occurred at around 6pm at the 74-acre park complex, where thousands of people had gathered for the annual event.

Witnesses described scenes of panic as attendees ran for safety and took cover after hearing gunfire.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said in a statement on Sunday night that one person had been taken into custody following the shooting.

However, Seattle Assistant Police Chief Tyrone Davis said another suspected shooter remained at large as authorities continued their investigation.

“There may be more,” Davis said around 10.50pm. “We’re still trying to figure this out.”

Police investigate shooting at crowded festival

Davis said the individuals involved appeared to have been shooting at each other and described the person taken into custody as “young”.

Two firearms were recovered from the scene, but police did not disclose a possible motive for the shooting.

The Seattle Police Department said in a post on X that officers were investigating reports of multiple shooting victims and advised members of the public to avoid the area.

A Seattle Times reporter who was near the south side of Climate Pledge Arena during the incident reported hearing several loud pops followed by what sounded like rapid gunfire.

Festival attendee Estan Wakonabo, 25, told The Seattle Times that he was attending Bite of Seattle with his girlfriend when they heard the shots.

He said the festival was already crowded, with attendees packed into food queues and moving through the venue with limited space. As gunfire erupted, people began trampling over one another while others remained in place.

Victims taken to hospital

The Seattle Fire Department said emergency crews treated five additional people at the scene.

Those injured included a 2-year-old boy, a 23-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and a 56-year-old woman, all of whom were transported to hospital.

A 40-year-old woman also suffered minor injuries.

Harborview Medical Center said all four patients who arrived at the hospital had suffered gunshot wounds.

A hospital spokesperson initially reported that the 56-year-old woman was undergoing surgery and in critical condition, while the other patients were in satisfactory condition.

Festival among Seattle Center’s largest events

The shooting occurred during Bite of Seattle, one of Seattle Center’s busiest annual events.

The festival, which has been held at Seattle Center for decades, features hundreds of food and retail vendors alongside live music performances.

According to Seattle Center’s impact report, the 2025 festival attracted approximately 282,000 visitors.

Authorities have not released further details on the identities of those killed or injured, and the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.