Two people were killed and five others injured after a shooting broke out on Sunday evening during the popular Bite of Seattle food festival near the city's iconic Space Needle.
The shooting took place around 6 pm at Seattle Center, where the annual food festival was underway. Police launched an investigation and asked people to avoid the area.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said two people had been taken into custody. Police did not immediately confirm whether more suspects were involved or reveal a possible motive behind the attack.
Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Grace Nunez said two people died at the scene, while five others were taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment.
Harborview Medical Center spokesperson Susan Gregg said four victims were admitted to the hospital, including a toddler, a 23-year-old man and two adult women. One patient was in critical condition.
'Shooting! Shooting!': Panic at Seattle food festival
The Bite of Seattle festival had attracted thousands of visitors, with food stalls and entertainment spread across the Seattle Center complex when gunfire erupted.
A livestream from food vendor Hawaiian Honey Cones captured the initial moments of the shooting and the panic that followed.
"Shooting! Shooting!" a man was heard shouting.
Seconds later, another voice yelled, "Get down, get down, get down," as crowds rushed to escape.
Videos shared on social media showed people jumping over fences, running for safety and taking shelter inside the Space Needle's lobby.
