By Hannah Saunders
Three victims are dead and four more are recovering, including a two-year-old child, from injuries sustained yesterday at the Bite of Seattle festival at the Seattle Center. TtS previously reported how gunshots rang out around 6 p.m. at one of the city’s largest events, and less than 24 hours after the incident, Mayor Katie Wilson has informed community members that one of the suspects involved is a 15-year-old boy.
“We believe that two people exchanged gunfire outside the Seattle Center Armory. Seven victims were caught in the crossfire, with a possible eighth. A 19-year-old man, a 44-year-old man, and a 56 year-old woman were killed,” Mayor Wilson said during a July 27 press conference. “The Seattle Police Department detained a 15-year-old juvenile in connection with the shooting.”
The teenager is scheduled for a first appearance hearing today at 1:30 p.m., and is facing firearms violations and Assault in the First Degree charges.
“We believe this teenager opened fire in the crowd, but details are still under investigation,” Mayor Wilson said.
She said the response to this shooting is an “all hands on deck,” approach, and that the gun violence has touched almost every part of the police department. The Human Services Department Victims Advocates Team is working with Seattle Police, she said, to support victims and their families. Community Passageways is contacting people who were impacted by the mass shooting to provide further support.
“The organization is also converging an emergency meeting to assess the possibility of retaliation, identify ongoing safety concerns, and help the people involved to navigate those risks,” Mayor Wilson said.
Mayor Wilson is working towards a multi-pronged gun violence strategy, as shootings like yesterdays can be prevented. She said the strategy includes collaboration with community leaders, social service providers, law enforcement officers, and community members with moral authority who can interrupt cycles of violence and deescalate tense situations.
“The City of Seattle is partnering with state, federal, and local government partners to launch a gun violence reduction strategy that will build on programs, services, and law enforcement efforts already underway,” Mayor Wilson added. “We will be bringing on an expert in gun violence reduction, including youth violence prevention, who will partner with city staff and our community-based partners.”
Bite of Seattle ignores the tragedy
Bite of Seattle hosts over 350,000 attendees each year over the event’s course of three days. This year, there were over 200 food vendors and over 70 live bands. The Bite of Seattle website said it welcomes smaller, independent businesses and can offer them customers, feedback, and growth opportunity, because “the barriers to opening a restaurant have never been higher, and we’re proud to help close that gap.”
But several restaurants have posted their experiences on Bite of Seattle, expressing how it’s unattainable to local and small businesses due to vending costs: food vendors pay a 21% commission on sales, and $3,000 for an average sized booth.
Bite of Seattle was active on its Instagram page the day of the shooting, promoting various activities like the Waterballerz station, Instax cameras, lobster rolls from Luke’s Lobster, stuffed Churros from Rosa’s Churros, and a prize of waffle wings.
There were no updates informing community members that the event had closed early, that there was a shooting, that the area was unsafe, or even a message acknowledging the tragic events that have led to three deaths.
A community member has organized a vigil for tonight at 8:30 p.m. at the International Fountain. If the fountain area is closed off, people will meet at the Space Needle. Those looking to attend are encouraged to bring flowers, candles, and write letters of love. There will not be any organizations or speakers at the vigil.
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