A shootout at a food festival near the Seattle Space Needle over the weekend left three people dead and four others injured, including a toddler. The Seattle Police Department said they believe the shooting may have been gang-related, with two groups firing at each other.
Investigation Ongoing
Police said there were at least three suspects involved in the shootout, including a 15-year-old who was arrested and is being held in juvenile detention for investigation of firearms violations and first-degree assault. The deceased shooter was 19 years old.
The victims included a father of three, Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, who was known for his kindness and willingness to help others. Another victim, Ashley Whitehead, 56, was a mother of two who had just moved to Washington from Alabama a year ago.
The festival, which started in 1982, draws 350,000 attendees and was shut down after the shooting. Vendors were allowed to return to the campus on Monday to collect their equipment.
Community Response
A vigil was held on Monday night at the Seattle Center to honor the victims. Dozens of people attended, holding a moment of silence and raising their flashlights on their phones to honor those who had been killed.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
