Three people were killed and at least four others, including a toddler, were injured after a shooting near Seattle’s iconic Space Needle on Sunday, authorities said.

According to Seattle Police, one suspect has been taken into custody while officers continue searching for a second person believed to be connected to the incident, which occurred during a food festival at the Seattle Center, a popular tourist destination.

Assistant Police Chief Tyrone Davis said gunfire erupted at about 6:00 p.m. (0100 GMT), adding that investigators believe “there were two people who we believe were shooting at each other.” Police recovered two firearms from the scene.

Davis said there is “no outstanding threat to the community.”

Victims Taken to Hospital

Police said two victims died at the scene, while a third later succumbed to injuries at a hospital.

Four people were initially treated at Harborview Medical Center’s trauma unit, according to hospital spokesperson Susan Gregg. The patients included a child, a woman of unknown age who underwent surgery, a 23-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman.

Davis said one of those patients later died from their injuries but did not identify the victim.

He added that another gunshot victim later arrived at the University of Washington Medical Center for treatment.

The remaining hospitalised victims, including the toddler, were reported to be in stable condition.

Officials Condemn Attack

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said State Patrol SWAT officers had been deployed to assist Seattle Police with the investigation.

“My prayers are with the families of the victims, and the responders as they work to keep people safe,” Ferguson wrote on X.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson described the shooting as “an act of horrific violence.”

“Our attention belongs to the people whose lives were taken, those fighting to recover, and the families beside them,” she said in a statement.

Wilson also thanked “the Seattle police officers who responded to the scene and took a suspect into custody.”

Witnesses Describe Panic

Several witnesses told Seattle television station KIRO that they heard multiple gunshots before fleeing the area.

“At first, I thought there were fireworks, and then everybody flooded and ran past us,” Nick Bate told the station.

Another witness told AFP: “We started running. I didn’t know. I didn’t look where the person was going. I just heard everything.”

The shooting occurred during the annual “Bite of Seattle” summer festival, an event that celebrates local businesses and food vendors.