SEATTLE — A shooting Sunday evening at an events complex near Seattle’s iconic Space Needle left at least four people injured, including a young child, according to a hospital spokesperson.
A spokeswoman for Harborview Medical Center, Susan Gregg, confirmed that the hospital received four victims — a toddler, a 23-year-old man, and two adult women. She said one of the patients is in critical condition.
Law enforcement officials did not immediately provide additional details. Seattle police launched an investigation into the shooting and asked the public to stay clear of the surrounding area.
The shooting occurred at the Seattle Center, which was hosting the Bite of Seattle food festival over the weekend. The popular annual event, which began in 1982, typically draws around 350,000 visitors across what its website describes as “three days of food, drink, and community celebration.”
One festival-goer, Estan Wakonabo, described a terrifying scene. He said he and his girlfriend were standing in line at a photo booth when someone shoved him from behind. When he turned around, he saw crowds of people running in a panic.
“People were hiding, were pushing, people were falling on the ground, baby strollers were falling,” Wakonabo recalled. He said it was shortly after that he heard the shots ring out.
“Once I heard a ‘pop, pop, pop,’ that’s when I knew it was a shooter,” he said.
After making sure his girlfriend was safe, Wakonabo went back toward the scene and saw multiple victims lying on the ground, he said.
