By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Three people are dead and four others were wounded in what the local media is describing as a “mass shooting” event at the Seattle Center during the final hours of the annual “Bite of Seattle,” and there is some backlash in the aftermath because a press briefing was delayed for hours apparently because several political dignitaries wanted to attend.
According to KOMO News, which covered the incident almost from the beginning because its offices are located virtually across the street from the center, “the mayor and several political leaders did not begin until just before 11 p.m., more than four hours after the shots were fired…The Seattle Police Department spokesperson said some dignitaries wanted to attend the news conference.”
Police had one “young person” in custody and were looking for a second person Monday morning. One report indicated the shooting may have been two peopel shooting at each other, and that the victims were all bystanders.
The shooting occurred in the shadow of Seattle’s world-famous Space Needle as thousands of people were still gathered at the “Bite” food event. Shooting erupted right around 6 p.m. with multiple shots fired. Two people died at the scene and a third victim died at Harborview Medical Center. The other four victims included a 2-year-old.
Seattle’s KING5 News is reporting that the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of outstanding suspects.
During the late night news conference, Deputy Police Chief Tyrone Davis said two firearms had been recovered. According to KIRO News, police said the two people killed at the scene were a 19-year-old male and 44-year-old male. The third victim, described as a 56-year-old woman, died at the hospital.
Dignitaries whose arrival may have held up the first press briefing included Gov. Bob Ferguson and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, both Democrats.
Gun control is likely to come up in the aftermath of the shooting, although Washington State has, over the past 12 years, seen adoption of increasingly restrictive gun laws, none of which prevented Sunday’s shooting. The state adopted bans on so-called “assault weapons” and “large-capacity magazines,” both of which are being challenged in federal court, and which could be nullified by this time next year thanks to two cases from other states which the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review when it returns in October.
Assistant Chief Davis was reluctant to provide details about the “young person” in custody, who is expected to appear in court Monday morning.
What is known is that under Washington statute, it is illegal to carry a concealed handgun without a concealed pistol license (CPL), and these are not issued to anyone under age 21.
