Newly obtained 911 calls capture the frantic response to the deadly shooting at Seattle’s Bite of Seattle festival. A wounded caller told a dispatcher they had been shot in the back and were losing blood as emergency crews searched for victims. Dispatchers reported multiple people down and later confirmed six gunshot wounds near the Seattle Center Armory. Three people died and four others were wounded, including a 2-year-old boy.
| 1) | 911 Call Details |
| 2) | Emergency Response and Active Scene |
| 3) | Victims and Festival Shooting |
| 4) | Investigation and Suspect Status |
| 5) | Officials’ Public Statements |
911 Call Details
The calls were made during the July 26 shooting outside the Seattle Center Armory in Seattle, near the Space Needle. One wounded caller said they had taken cover, did not know who opened fire and could see police nearby. The caller directed responders toward a water fountain while describing the severity of the injuries.
“I’m losing blood,” the caller told the dispatcher.
The dispatcher attempted to keep the injured person calm while sending help to the reported location. The caller later said they were with an officer, indicating that law enforcement had reached at least part of the affected area.
Emergency Response and Active Scene
Dispatchers and first responders worked to establish how many people had been shot and whether the area was safe for medical teams. Initial transmissions described multiple people down and requested as many aid units as possible. One dispatcher reported that at least two people were down, while warning that the number could be higher.
Because officials did not immediately know whether a shooter remained nearby, emergency crews treated the location as an active scene. A later transmission reported six confirmed gunshot wounds. The communications show how responders had to balance urgent medical assistance with the need to secure the festival area.
Victims and Festival Shooting
The shooting occurred outside the Armory during the Bite of Seattle food festival, a public event held near Seattle Center. Authorities previously said three people were killed and four others were wounded. The injured included a 2-year-old boy, while two men, ages 19 and 44, were pronounced dead at the scene.
A 56-year-old woman later died after being taken to a hospital in critical condition. Former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said investigators believed gunfire was exchanged after a conflict involving small groups thought to be at odds with one another. Bystanders were reportedly caught in the crossfire, although the circumstances remained under investigation.
Investigation and Suspect Status
A 15-year-old suspect remains in custody in connection with the shooting. The teenager was booked into juvenile detention on suspicion of gun violations and first-degree assault. No homicide charges had been filed as of the latest update described in the report.
Investigators initially believed two gunmen may have been involved. A juvenile court document later indicated that the detained teenager and an acquaintance who died at the scene may have exchanged gunfire with at least one other unidentified suspect. Authorities have not publicly resolved the full sequence of events or identified every person who may have fired a weapon.
Officials’ Public Statements
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson called the shooting an act of horrific violence and said families and the broader community were struggling to understand how a gathering centered on culture and connection ended in gunfire. She also said officials believed the 15-year-old had opened fire into the crowd, while emphasizing that the details remained under investigation.
“No one should have to weigh the risk of being shot before attending an event, gathering with friends, or experiencing their city,” Katie Wilson said.
Interim Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles said investigators had developed new information and expected to make an arrest, but declined to provide details that could compromise the case. The mayor’s office said the administration continued to work with the police department to ensure information about critical events reached the public.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A wounded caller reported being shot in the back and losing blood. |
| 2 | Dispatchers reported multiple people down and six confirmed gunshot wounds. |
| 3 | Three people died and four were wounded, including a 2-year-old child. |
| 4 | A 15-year-old suspect remains in custody, with no homicide charges filed in the latest update. |
| 5 | Investigators continue examining whether more than one gunman was involved. |
Summary
The 911 recordings provide a detailed account of the immediate emergency response after gunfire erupted at the Bite of Seattle festival. They show dispatchers confronting uncertainty over the number of victims and the potential danger to responders while police secured the scene. The investigation remains active, with a juvenile suspect in custody and questions about whether another shooter participated.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the shooting occur?
The shooting occurred on July 26, 2026, during the Bite of Seattle festival near the Seattle Center Armory in Seattle.
How many people were killed or wounded?
Authorities previously said three people were killed and four others were wounded. The injured included a 2-year-old boy.
Has a suspect been arrested?
A 15-year-old suspect remains in juvenile custody on suspicion of gun violations and first-degree assault. No homicide charges had been filed in the latest update.
