SEATTLE—Three people were killed and at least four others were wounded, including a toddler, in a shooting Sunday evening at Seattle Center during the annual Bite of Seattle food festival, according to Seattle Police spokesperson assistant chief Tyrone Davis said at Sunday evening’s presser. A young male is in custody and being interviewed. A second person of interest is being sought with the possibility of more arrests Davis said.
Gunfire erupted around 6:01 p.m. near the Northwest corner of the Armory and the area of Sue Bird Court and Thomas Street, where large crowds had gathered for the final day of the free-admission event. Seattle Fire Department personnel pronounced two victims dead at the scene and a third victim, a 56-year-old woman taken to Harborview Medical Center succumbed to her injuries. Officers just happened to be at the location of the shooting to apprehend one suspect immediately.
Among the wounded was a 2-year-old boy shot in the right arm who was listed in stable condition; other patients transported to Harborview Medical Center included a 23-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman in stable condition. A 40-year-old female with minor injuries declined transport to a hospital. A fifth person arrived at UW Medical Center with gunshot wounds, later in the evening.
Assistant chief Davis said that two firearms were recovered at the scene but did not disclose the make and model of the weapons.
According to first responder radio traffic reviewed by the Lynnwood Times, officers immediately began establishing a perimeter with a command post at the northwest corner of the Armory. Units were ordered to move in pairs and treat the area as a crime scene, with instructions to keep nonessential personnel out. Officers reported two suspects initially taken into custody and two gunshot victims, then updates of additional victims, including the toddler on the grass and another person on the east side of the command post area.
Radio traffic later described outstanding suspects. One was reported as an Arabic male wearing a gray shirt and light jeans. A second was described as a Black male about 20 years old, 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with shoulder-length dreadlocks featuring blonde tips, a jean jacket with a camera detail on the bottom, a black shirt and black pants. He was last reported seen near Sue Bird Court. Officers also broadcast a report of a person in a camouflage jacket and another with a pistol.
Police and fire units secured the grounds while checking for additional injuries. Officers later moved to contain the Pacific Science Center IMAX theater after a caller reported secondhand information that an individual matching a suspect description might be inside. Theater staff stopped the movie, and officers prepared to screen exiting patrons. SWAT was requested, and units covered exits. A King County sheriff’s deputy offered a drone for deployment.
Harborview Medical Center went on lockdown amid the mass-casualty response. Seattle police publicly stated they were investigating a shooting with multiple victims and asked the public to avoid the Seattle Center area. Officials continued clearing the grounds and neighboring businesses as people who had sheltered in place sought guidance on whether it was safe to leave.
In a statement on the incident, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson wrote: “Gun violence changes families forever. Its trauma reaches far beyond the people struck by bullets. In the days ahead, we will establish what happened and be transparent with the public about what we have learned.”
Gov. Bob Ferguson shared that his “prayers are with the families of the victims.”
Seattle Police asking public for information, call 206-233-5000.
Editor’s Note: Article updated at 12:05 a.m., July 27, 2026, following the presser to include latest casualty figures and statements from elected officials.
