Two killed in mass shooting at US food festival

New Delhi: Two people were killed and five others injured in a shooting Sunday evening at Seattle Center, where the Bite of Seattle food festival was underway, authorities said.

The Seattle Fire Department said two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Four others — a two-year-old boy, a 23-year-old man and two adult women — were taken to Harborview Medical Center, reports Xinhua news agency.

A 40-year-old woman with minor injuries was treated at the scene and declined transportation to a hospital.

Harborview Medical Center said one woman was in critical condition and undergoing surgery, while the other hospitalised patients were in satisfactory condition.

Police and emergency crews responded shortly after the shooting occurred and evacuated the area. Authorities asked the public to avoid Seattle Center while the investigation continued.

Seattle Center is a hub for entertainment and culture, featuring multiple attractions such as the Climate Pledge Arena and the famous Space Needle.

At that time, the venue was hosting the Bite of Seattle, which is one of the city’s longest-running and most beloved food festivals, according to WBAL-TV.

According to a report by CNN, citing affiliate KOMO, some witnesses attending the festival reported that they heard 7-8 shots inside the venue. They mentioned that people panicked upon hearing the shots and started running everywhere.

Police have not released information about any suspect or a possible motive.

The investigation is underway, and further details are awaited.

This comes close on the heels of another such incident when ten people, including the suspect, were injured in an overnight mass shooting in Tucson, the US state of Arizona, on July 19.

The shooting occurred around 2 a.m. local time on July 19 in a crowded area of downtown Tucson, the second-most populous city of Arizona, said officials with the Tucson Police Department.

Police officers patrolling the area heard gunshots and immediately ran towards the sound of the gunfire, local media reported, citing police.

When the police arrived at the scene, they saw a man running away. Officers gave orders to the suspect several times before a uniformed officer shot him.

The identities of the suspect and the victims were not released. The cause of the shooting and the current condition of the victims are unknown.

–IANS