Three people have lost their lives and five others have been left wounded after a gunman opened fire at a food festival in Seattle.
News of the attack, which took place near the city’s landmark Space Needle, first broke at around 3:30am UK time on Monday morning. It is believed the shooting occurred at the Bite of Seattle food festival.
According to the BBC, two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. A further five people sustained injuries, among them a 56 year old woman reported to be in hospital in a serious condition.
Three additional casualties were hospitalised in a stable condition, comprising a two year old boy, a 39 year old woman, and a 23 year old man.
A fifth victim, a 40 year old woman, suffered minor injuries but declined to be taken to hospital, fire officials confirmed.
Shortly after 7am in the UK, Seattle Police said a third person had died from their injuries. They had been taken to hospital, Assistant Chief of Police Tyrone Davis, said. Their identity has not been disclosed.
Seattle city mayor Katie Wilson, who had initially announced two arrests, confirmed shortly before 6am UK time on Monday that one suspect had been taken into custody. The individual’s identity has yet to be revealed.
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In her opening statement she said: “I want to thank the Seattle police officers who responded to the scene and took two suspects into custody.”
She added: “Impacted families are living through the worst moment of their lives, and an entire community is trying to understand how a gathering built around culture, connection, and joy ended in gunfire.
“Tonight, our attention belongs to the people whose lives were taken, those fighting to recover, and the families beside them,” she continued. “Seattle grieves with you, and we will stand with you in the difficult days ahead.”
A Democratic Congresswoman for Washington stated that the unfolding situation is being kept under close watch.
Pramila Jayapal posted on X shortly afterwards: “We are monitoring closely information from the shooting that took place at the Seattle Center this evening.
“We are in close touch with Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Governor Bob Ferguson, and coordinating across multiple levels of government to get updates on the situation.
“We are grateful to law enforcement at Seattle Police Department and first responders who are at the scene and working hard. Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this senseless violence.
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“We ask that the public please stay away from the Seattle Center as there is still an active investigation happening at this time. We will provide updates as we have additional information.”