2 killed, 5 wounded in Seattle Center shooting during festival

Two people were killed and five others were wounded in a shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday evening during the Bite of Seattle food festival, Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Brian Pritchard said. The attack unfolded in one of Seattle’s busiest civic districts, just northwest of downtown and a block from the Space Needle, as festivalgoers filled the annual event.

Police were investigating and urged people to avoid the area while officers worked the scene. The gunfire erupted around 6 p.m., a crowded hour for a festival built around food stalls, drink vendors and family foot traffic.

The Bite of Seattle has been part of Seattle Center since 1982 and draws about 350,000 attendees over three days. Seattle Center also includes the Armory, Climate Pledge Arena, McCaw Hall and other major facilities in a tight footprint near downtown Seattle.

Seattle officials identify active shooter incidents as a recognized hazard in city emergency planning materials, and the city maintains a Significant Incident Reports blotter for major emergencies. The shooting occurred in a public space designed for large gatherings, with open walkways, dense crowds and multiple event spaces.