Seattle police investigate shooting near iconic Space Needle

Multiple people were shot near Seattle's iconic Space Needle on Sunday night during the Bite of Seattle food festival, according to local police. Emergency services responded to reports of gunfire at the Seattle Center campus, which houses the major tourist landmark alongside Climate Pledge Arena.

CBS affiliate KIRO-TV reported that at least one individual was observed receiving CPR at the scene following the incident. The Seattle Police Department confirmed the ongoing investigation on social media platform X, confirming multiple shooting victims and warning the public to avoid the immediate area.

Authorities have not yet released details regarding the exact number of victims, the severity of their injuries, or whether officers have taken any suspects into custody.

Witnesses at the event described scenes of panic as gunshots broke out during the community gathering. Festival attendee Nick Bate told reporters that he initially mistook the gunfire for fireworks before crowds of people began fleeing past him. Another witness, Leanne Coles, described running through a nearby garden with the fleeing crowd while using the Space Needle to navigate away from the danger.

The shooting occurred on the final evening of the Bite of Seattle food festival, which draws large crowds to the Seattle Center grounds each year. The venue is home to several major local attractions, as well as the Seattle Kraken ice hockey team and the Seattle Storm basketball team. Police operations remained active across the Seattle Center grounds as officers secured the area and gathered evidence from the scene.