The annual Bite of Seattle festival, a beloved event that has drawn crowds since 1982, was marred by tragedy on Sunday evening. Gunfire erupted at the Seattle Center leaving three people dead and four others wounded, including a 2-year-old boy.

The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in the final hours of the three-day festival. The event, known for its diverse food vendors and performances, typically attracts hundreds of thousands of attendees. This year, however, it became the scene of a horrific shooting that sent attendees fleeing for safety.

The Shooting and Immediate Aftermath

Police responded swiftly to the scene, setting up a perimeter and beginning an evacuation of the area. Seattle Assistant Police Chief Tyrone Davis addressed the media on Sunday night, confirming that two suspects were involved in the shooting. One suspect was arrested at the scene, while the other remains at large.

Davis assured the public that there was no ongoing threat, but the search for the second suspect continued into Monday. The identities of the suspects have not been released, and police have not provided a description of the outstanding individual.

The victims included two men, ages 19 and 44, and a 56-year-old woman. Two of the victims died at the scene, while the third succumbed to their injuries at a hospital. The four wounded individuals, including the toddler, were hospitalized. The boy was reported to be in satisfactory condition on Monday, while the other three victims were discharged.

Witness Accounts and Chaos

Witnesses described a scene of panic and confusion as gunfire erupted near the Space Needle and the International Fountain. Faith Adia Hunter and her friends were about to enjoy their food when they heard yelling and saw people running.

“We were right next to him when it started, so we took off running,” Hunter recalled. She and others sought refuge in the nearby Seattle Children’s Museum as vendors abandoned their booths and attendees fled the area.

Roberto Ramirez a vendor at the event, heard what sounded like firecrackers before realizing it was gunfire. “Suddenly everything was empty,” he said. “People were freaked out.” Ramirez noted that new guests continued to arrive, unaware of the shooting, and were turned away by police.

Estan Wakonabo and his girlfriend were waiting in line for a photo booth when the chaos began. “People were hiding, were pushing, people were falling on the ground, baby strollers were falling,” Wakonabo said. He heard the gunshots and quickly escorted his girlfriend to safety before returning to the scene to take photos.

Community Response and Cleanup

In the aftermath of the shooting, vendors returned to clean up their abandoned booths. A candlelight vigil was planned for Monday night at the International Fountain to honor the victims and support the community.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced that a first court appearance for the arrested suspect was anticipated on Monday afternoon. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The Bite of Seattle festival, which began in 1982, typically draws 350,000 attendees. This year’s event was overshadowed by the tragic shooting, leaving the community in shock and mourning.