Authorities have identified the three people killed in a shooting at the crowded Bite of Seattle food festival near the Space Needle on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

The King County Medical Examiner’s Office named the victims as:

• Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, who died from a gunshot wound to the torso
• Ashley Whitehead, 56, who died from a gunshot wound to the pelvis
• Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, who died from multiple gunshot wounds

Police believe Semo was one of the individuals involved in the exchange of gunfire.

A 2-year-old boy was among those injured and remains hospitalized. Several other adults were also wounded; some have been treated and released.

Seattle police say at least three people were involved in the shooting. A 15-year-old is in custody. One suspected shooter is believed to have died at the scene (Semo), and authorities continue to search for another person of interest. Investigators believe the gunfire involved people shooting at each other amid the festival crowd.

The incident occurred during the popular annual food event at Seattle Center. Witnesses described panic as shots rang out, with some of the violence captured on vendor livestreams.

Villalba was described by family as a husband and father of three known for his kindness. Whitehead had recently moved to Washington from Alabama and was attending the festival with one of her adult daughters.

The investigation is ongoing. No additional motive details have been publicly released.

Sources

• King County Medical Examiner’s Office identification of the victims