Teen arrested after deadly Seattle food festival shooting
Seattle festival shooting killed three people and wounded four others
15-year-old suspect is in custody after a shooting at Seattle's Bite of Seattle food festival left three people dead and four others injured, according to city officials.
Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson said during a press conference on Monday that the teenager was detained and booked into the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center for investigation on allegations of firearms violations and first-degree assault.
Police believe two people exchanged gunfire
Wilson said investigators believe the 15-year-old opened fire in the crowd, though the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
Authorities also believe two people exchanged gunfire outside the Seattle Center Armory during the annual festival.
The suspect made an initial court appearance on Monday afternoon, but formal charges have not yet been filed, the mayor said.
Three victims identified
The shooting claimed the lives of three people: 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, 44-year-old Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba and 56-year-old Ashley Whitehead.
According to the mayor, two victims died at the scene while a third died later at Harborview Medical Center.
NBC News reported that the 19-year-old victim was initially detained in connection with the shooting before dying from gunshot wounds after allegedly exchanging fire.
Investigation continues
Mayor Wilson acknowledged a recent series of shootings in Seattle and said the city remains committed to reducing gun violence.
"While the police department continues their investigations, we cannot let up on implementing a multi-prong gun violence strategy," she said. "We know that gun violence can be prevented."
Seattle Police said officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 6:01 p.m. local time on Sunday and found seven people suffering from gunshot wounds. The investigation remains ongoing.
