At least two people were killed and five were wounded in a mass shooting at a Seattle food festival on Sunday evening — sending massive crowds running from a hail of bullets, according to local authorities and witnesses.
Several shots rang out at the Seattle Center, which was hosting the Bite of Seattle food festival, around 6 p.m. local time, according to cops and the Seattle Times.
Two people were killed in the shooting, and at least five were injured, the Seattle Fire Department told the outlet.
A 2-year-old boy, 23-year-old man, 39-year-old woman, 40-year-old woman and 56-year-old woman were all wounded, but were in stable condition, according to fire department officials. Details about the two dead were not immediately available.
The Seattle Police Department also confirmed “multiple victims” were shot in the chaos.
The nearby Harborview Medical Center is now on lockdown due to increased police activity in the area following a “mass casualty incident,” the local outlet reported.
Attendee Estain Wakonabo, 25, told the publication that crowds of people began trampling over each other while fleeing the gunfire at the packed event.
“It was just pure chaos,” he said.
After returning to the scene to try to take photos, he said he saw several gunshot victims on the ground and a body covered with a yellow sheet.
Police urged residents to avoid the area surrounding the Seattle Center, located near the Space Needle, while investigation efforts remain ongoing.
Additional details about the number of gunmen or victims shot are not immediately clear.
An investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
