SEATTLE: Three people were killed and at least four others injured in a mass shooting near Seattle’s iconic Space Needle on Sunday, according to US media reports and local authorities.
Seattle, the largest city in Washington state in the US Pacific Northwest, is one of the country’s leading tourist destinations.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said a suspect had been taken into custody following the shooting in the city’s popular Seattle Centre tourist district.
She had initially indicated that two suspects were in custody before later clarifying that one person had been arrested.
Seattle police said there were multiple shooting victims near the Space Needle and confirmed officers responded after reports of gunfire at the Seattle Center. Authorities are expected to provide further details during a news conference.
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Harborview Medical Center said it was treating four patients, including a child, a 23-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and another woman who underwent surgery. Hospital officials said police were investigating reports that there may have been more than one shooter at the scene.
The shooting occurred during the annual “Bite of Seattle” summer festival, a popular event celebrating local food vendors and businesses, attracting large crowds to the area.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple rounds of rapid gunfire before emergency responders arrived. A reporter from The Seattle Times said several loud shots rang out in quick succession, prompting people to flee for safety.
Police have launched an investigation into the motive behind the attack and urged anyone with information or footage from the scene to come forward.
