A judge ordered a 15-year-old held in juvenile detention in connection with a gunfight at a crowded Seattle food festival that killed three people and injured at least four others.
Investigation Ongoing
Prosecutors said the gunfight involved the 15-year-old, a 19-year-old man who died at the scene, and possibly a third person. Officials said the shooting could be gang-related.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said police continue to investigate what happened and how many people were involved. "We now know that at least two people exchanged gunfire outside the Seattle Center Armory. One is in custody, and a second has been identified as the 19-year-old deceased man," Wilson said at a news conference.
Police will review video, analyze bullet casings, and follow additional leads through tip lines to establish a clearer picture of what took place, she said.
The 15-year-old is being held on suspicion of three counts of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a semi-automatic rifle. He had not been involved in a criminal case before in the county, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
A police officer less than 100 feet away allegedly saw the 15-year-old holding a handgun and firing into the crowd Sunday night during the Bite of Seattle food festival, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by prosecutors.
The King County Medical Examiner released the names of the dead, including Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, who died of multiple gunshot wounds, Ashley Whitehead, 56, who died of a gunshot wound to the pelvis, and Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, who died of a gunshot wound to the torso.
Some witnesses said they confused the sound of gunshots with firecrackers. In video posted to social media, dozens of attendees could be seen running from the bullets and stumbling over one another as they fled.
Community Reaction
Food vendor Hana Kim watched in horror as some people took cover under her family's tent. She heard people yelling and saw some run toward the commotion, frantically searching for loved ones.
Kim, who flew to Seattle from New York to help her family at the festival, said she "hit the ground" so hard while shielding herself that her knee bled. When she popped back up, Kim, her brother, and his friend hurried to rush their parents toward the parking lot and evacuate a handful of people who took shelter at the stall.
Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.
