A shooting at the annual Bite of Seattle food festival left three people dead and four others wounded Sunday evening when two suspects opened fire on each other in the crowded Seattle Center, authorities said. The incident began around 6 p.m. local time as thousands of families were attending the outdoor festival, which is held near the city's iconic Space Needle and Climate Pledge Arena. Witnesses described initially mistaking the gunshots for fireworks before fleeing in panic, with some taking shelter inside the Space Needle itself.

Seattle Assistant Police Chief Tyrone Davis said at a late-night press conference that officers already working in the area rushed in and confronted one of the shooters, an action he credited with preventing additional casualties. Two guns were recovered at the scene. One suspect was taken into custody, while a second fled and remained at large as of Monday, with a search ongoing.

Of the seven people struck by gunfire, two were pronounced dead at the scene after CPR failed, and a 56-year-old woman later died at Harborview Medical Center. The four survivors — including a 2-year-old boy, a 39-year-old woman, and a 23-year-old man, all treated at Harborview — were listed in stable condition. A 40-year-old woman with minor injuries declined initial treatment but later sought care at the University of Washington Medical Center.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives deployed several agents to the scene, though Seattle police are leading the investigation. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said the state SWAT team also responded at Seattle police's request. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson called the shooting an "unbelievable tragedy and a horrific act of violence" and said more must be done to address gun violence in the city and nationwide.

The Seattle Center draws large crowds year-round as a major tourist and events hub, and the Bite of Seattle festival is one of the region's most attended summer gatherings. Authorities have not released the identities of the victims or the detained suspect. The search for the second suspect continued Monday, and no additional details about a possible motive had been released.