Seattle Food Festival Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, Police Seek Third Suspect

Seattle police are intensifying their investigation into a deadly shooting at the city's annual Bite of Seattle food festival, now believing at least three individuals exchanged gunfire. The incident, which occurred Sunday evening during the festival's final hours at Seattle Center, resulted in three fatalities and four injuries, including a two-year-old boy.

Authorities initially suspected two shooters but later concluded a third was involved, with at least one suspect still at large. A 15-year-old was arrested shortly after the event, while a 19-year-old, identified as Junior Cee Niko Semo, was killed at the scene and is now believed to be one of the shooters. Assistant Police Chief Nicole Powell indicated the violence may stem from gang activity between two groups.

The victims were identified as Carlos Israel Villalba, 44, Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Semo. Villalba, a father of three, was remembered for his generosity. The injured included the toddler, who is in satisfactory condition, and three adults who have since been released from the hospital. Two firearms were recovered.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson condemned the event as "an act of horrific violence" as police continue their search for the remaining suspect. The shooting disrupted one of Seattle's largest public events, causing panic among the approximately 350,000 annual visitors.

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an act of horrific violence