Seattle Center Shooting Update: Bite of Seattle Festival Tragedy
A mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival on Sunday, July 26, 2026, left two people dead and at least five others injured, including a two‑year‑old child. The incident unfolded at Seattle Center, near the Space Needle, during one of the city’s largest summer events.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, initially mistaking them for firecrackers, before panic spread through the crowd. Families and festivalgoers rushed to safety, with some sheltering inside the Seattle Armory while others fled into nearby streets.
Among the victims were a two‑year‑old boy, a 23‑year‑old man, and a 39‑year‑old woman. A 56‑year‑old woman was critically injured and underwent surgery. Despite lifesaving efforts by emergency responders, two victims died at the scene. Several others were transported to Harborview Medical Center, which briefly went into lockdown.
The Seattle Police Department urged the public to avoid the area as officers secured the scene. The FBI joined the investigation, and while multiple shooters were initially reported, police have not yet confirmed suspect details. The Seattle Monorail was shut down for the remainder of Sunday evening and reopened Monday morning.
Local leaders expressed shock and grief. King County Executive Girmay Zahilay described the shooting as horrifying, noting that the Bite of Seattle festival is a cherished community event meant for families and celebration.
The festival, which typically attracts up to 350,000 attendees each year, was in its final day when the shooting occurred. The tragedy has raised renewed concerns about public safety at large gatherings in Seattle.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities working to determine whether the shooting was targeted or random. Updates are expected as police release further details about suspects, motives, and the conditions of the injured victims.
