Two people were killed and several others, including a two-year-old child, were injured in a mass shooting at a food festival in Seattle, United States, on Sunday evening, authorities said.
The shooting occurred shortly after 6 p.m. at the Seattle Center, where the annual Bite of Seattle, a three-day food festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors, was underway.
According to the Seattle Fire Department, two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while four others, including the two-year-old child, were taken to hospital for treatment.
Another injured woman declined medical transportation.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson confirmed that one suspect had been taken into custody by police. She had initially stated that two people had been arrested but later corrected the information.
The incident is among at least 271 mass shootings recorded in the United States this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which classifies a mass shooting as one in which four or more people are shot.
Harborview Medical Center said all four patients admitted suffered gunshot wounds, with one woman listed in critical condition. The injuries involved the arm, leg, abdomen and lower leg.
The Seattle Center, a major civic and cultural venue that includes the iconic Space Needle, hosts more than 12 million visitors annually.
The Bite of Seattle festival features hundreds of local food vendors and live music performances, attracting an estimated 350,000 attendees over three days.
Videos shared on social media showed festivalgoers browsing vendor stalls before the sound of gunfire sent crowds fleeing in panic.
Authorities have not yet established what triggered the shooting.
Two witnesses at the event told CNN affiliate KOMO they heard “seven to eight shots,” adding people were running “everywhere.” Another witness said he was near a stage where a band was performing when he heard “at least two dozen shots.”
Video footage also showed some visitors taking shelter inside the Space Needle gift shop as the shooting unfolded.
Police officers, emergency responders and personnel from several agencies, including the FBI, responded to the scene. Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said a state SWAT team had also been deployed at the request of Seattle police.
Mayor Wilson described the incident as “an act of horrific violence” and said the community “is trying to understand how a gathering built around culture, connection, and joy ended in gunfire.”
“In the days ahead, we will establish what happened and be transparent with the public about what we have learned,” Wilson wrote. “Tonight, our attention belongs to the people whose lives were taken, those fighting to recover, and the families beside them.”
Governor Ferguson said he was being briefed on developments and urged the public to continue avoiding the area while investigations continue.
The Seattle Center Monorail announced it would remain closed for the rest of Sunday and resume normal operations on Monday.
