Washington state police and Seattle authorities provided details at a news briefing regarding the incident at the Bite of Seattle festival, held at Seattle Center. Officials said the suspect, whose name has not been released publicly in the briefings, was apprehended after investigators linked the attack to a weapon recovered at the scene. The firearm was described by Police Chief Shon Barnes as a 9 mm gun assembled from parts sourced from Polymer80, a company that previously manufactured ghost gun components. The term “ghost gun” refers to firearms that can be purchased without serialized serial numbers, allowing for easier concealment and less traceability.
Authorities did not disclose a precise motive or the suspect’s relationship to the victims during the briefing. The attack prompted an immediate emergency response, with officers securing the area and law enforcement agencies coordinating a response to the mass casualty event. At least two people were confirmed dead and several others wounded, according to initial updates from the scene. The Bite of Seattle festival, a long-running annual event drawing crowds to the Seattle Center, was interrupted as investigators worked to gather evidence and determine the sequence of events.
The investigation is ongoing, and police said they would provide updates as more information becomes available. Officials emphasized that the weapon’s ghost gun characteristics are a focal point in the inquiry, given the challenges ghost guns pose for regulation and tracing.
No charges have been announced publicly for the 15-year-old suspect at this time, and authorities indicated that additional steps, including reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, are standard parts of the investigation. The city and festival organizers condemned the violence and pledged support for those affected.