Several injured at Seattle Center shooting near Space Needle

Multiple people were injured in a shooting at the Seattle Center on the evening of Sunday, July 26, 2026, police said. The incident occurred near the iconic Space Needle as the popular Bite of Seattle food festival was concluding its final day.

Authorities confirmed there were multiple shooting victims but did not immediately release specific numbers, the extent of injuries, or information about a suspect. In a statement on social media, the Seattle Police Department urged the public to avoid the area as officers and detectives responded. The area was locked down and the Seattle Center Monorail was shut down for the night.

Witnesses described a scene of sudden chaos shortly after 6 p.m. Many initially mistook the sounds for fireworks before realizing they were gunshots. A reporter for the Seattle Times, who was present, recalled hearing several loud pops followed by what sounded like rapid gunfire. This triggered a panicked stampede as festival-goers ran for cover, with some people falling and being trampled in the rush.

"I heard bang, bang, bang and I heard yelling, straight yelling," one witness told a local television station. Another attendee, Kayla Carris, 22, said she saw...