Three dead in Seattle food festival shooting, suspects sought in gang-related incident

A shooting incident at the Bite of Seattle food festival on Sunday, July 26, 2026, resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left four others wounded, including a two-year-old child. The gunfire erupted around 6 p.m. in the final hours of the annual event held near the city's iconic Space Needle. Authorities swiftly responded to the scene, with officers already present for security.

A 15-year-old suspect has been detained in connection with the shooting and is being held in juvenile detention on suspicion of firearms violations and first-degree assault. Investigators initially believed two individuals were exchanging gunfire, but later reports indicated that at least three suspects may have been involved, with one of the perpetrators among those killed. Two men, aged 19 and 44, and a 56-year-old woman were identified as the fatalities, while the injured, including the toddler, were hospitalized in stable or satisfactory condition.

The search for additional suspects is ongoing, as police work to identify all individuals involved in the tragic event. Two firearms were recovered at the scene. The incident caused widespread chaos and panic among festival-goers, who sought cover as gunshots rang out.