Two dead, four hurt in shooting near Seattle’s Space Needle

Two people were killed and at least four others, including a child, were wounded in a shooting near Seattle’s Space Needle on Sunday, as police took one suspect into custody in the US city’s popular tourist district.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said a suspect had been arrested after the gunfire. She had initially said two people were in custody, but later thanked responding officers for taking "a suspect into custody". Seattle police said there were "multiple shooting victims" near the Space Needle observation tower and posted on X: "Shots fired at the Seattle Centre."

Fire department officials confirmed the two deaths, while Harborview Medical Centre said four patients were being treated at its trauma centre. Spokesperson Susan Gregg identified them as a child, a woman of unknown age who was in surgery, a 23-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman. Gregg said there had been uncertainty at the scene over whether more than one shooter was involved.

The shooting happened during the Bite of Seattle summer festival, an event celebrating local businesses and food vendors. A reporter at the scene said several loud pops were heard, followed by what sounded like rapid gunfire.