Two people were killed, and at least five were injured in the mass shooting at the Seattle food festival. A suspect have been taken into custody.
Among those injured are a two-year-old boy and a 56-year-old woman.
"Please avoid the area," Seattle police said on the social media site X, referring to Seattle Centre, where the Bite of Seattle food festival was being held.
The gunfire erupted around 6 pm at Seattle Centre during the Bite of Seattle festival.
Seattle mayor Katie Wilson condemned the shooting as an "act of horrific violence."
Earlier Wilson's statement mentioned two suspects taken into custody but later she said that only one suspect was in custody. "Seattle Police Department responded to the scene and took a suspect into custody," Wilson said.
"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," she said.
Those injured were rushed to Harborview Medical Centre. According to the hospital authorities, four people are being treated at the hospital.
All patients suffered gunshot wounds, according to Harborview Medical Centre spokesperson Susan Gregg.
One patient was in critical condition, she added.
Witnesses recall horror
"I heard bang, bang...and straight yelling. I ran as I could see others too running around in panic," one witness told King5 channel.
Another witness, Isiah, told KOMO News that he was working when he heard four shots fired. "Women, kids and men were screaming...I hopped the fence," said Isiah.
Meanwhile, Andrew, another witness, said that he jumped the fence and ran when someone shouted active shooter.
Estan Wakonabo said he and his girlfriend were at the festival waiting in line for a photo booth when he was shoved from behind, and he turned to see a rush of people fleeing.
According to the website, the annual festival started in 1982 and draws 350,000 attendees over "three days of food, drink, and community celebration."
