Multiple people were injured in a shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday evening, July 26, 2026, during the annual Bite of Seattle food festival, prompting a police investigation and a public warning to avoid the area.
Police Response and Initial Details
The Seattle Police Department confirmed the incident via social media, stating: "Police are investigating a shooting. Multiple shooting victims. Shots fired at the Seattle Center. More information to come. Please avoid the area." The alert was posted on X (formerly Twitter) at approximately 8:12 PM local time.
Harborview Medical Center reported to CNN that it would be receiving injured individuals from the event. The number of victims has not been officially released, but multiple injuries were confirmed.
Witness Accounts and Festival Context
The Bite of Seattle festival, a three-day event featuring hundreds of local food vendors and live music performances, was underway at the Seattle Center. Two witnesses attending the festival told CNN affiliate KOMO that they heard "seven to eight shots" inside the venue. They described a chaotic scene with people running in all directions.
The incident occurred near the iconic Space Needle, just a block from the arena where the food festival was being held. CNN reported that the shooting took place on Sunday night.
Immediate Impact and Ongoing Investigation
Shortly after the shooting, the Seattle Center Monorail announced it would close for the remainder of the day and resume operations on Monday morning. Police have cordoned off the area and are conducting a thorough investigation. No suspects have been named or arrested as of late Sunday night.
This is a developing story, and authorities have urged the public to stay away from the Seattle Center area while the investigation continues. Further updates are expected from the Seattle Police Department.
