A 15-year-old charged in connection with the deadly Bite of Seattle shooting says he fired his weapon in self-defense after shots were directed at him and a friend. The July 26 gunfire at Seattle Center near the Space Needle killed three people and wounded four others, including a 2-year-old boy. Police have identified two potential persons of interest but have not announced additional arrests. The teen remains the only person charged in the case, while prosecutors are seeking to move his juvenile case to adult court.
| 1) | Teen’s self-defense claim |
| 2) | Deadly festival gunfire |
| 3) | Investigation into other shooters |
| 4) | Charges and disputed weapon evidence |
| 5) | Custody and court proceedings |
Teen’s self-defense claim
The teen, whose name has not been released because he is charged as a juvenile, told officers he was being shot at. His public defender, Hong Tran, said the boy had attended the festival for food and was standing near 19-year-old Niko-Semo when the first shots were fired.
In a court memorandum dated Aug. 28, Tran said several eyewitnesses saw the teenager take a handgun from a pouch and fire toward the source of the gunfire. The defense argues that his actions followed an attack by two unidentified suspects and were intended to protect himself and his friend.
“I was getting shot at,” the teen told officers, according to the defense filing.
Deadly festival gunfire
The shooting occurred during the Bite of Seattle on July 26, as festivalgoers gathered near the Seattle Center Armory and the Space Needle. Gunfire sent people running from the crowded area while police officers assigned to the event moved toward the scene.
Three people died, including Niko-Semo, a 44-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman. Four others were wounded, among them a 2-year-old boy. Police have characterized the incident as a gang-related exchange of gunfire in which bystanders were caught in the crossfire. Court records indicate that the teenager’s shots were not responsible for the three deaths.
Investigation into other shooters
More than a month after the shooting, the teenager remains the only person charged. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said police have not referred any other cases for prosecution.
Investigators reviewed approximately 450 hours of video and identified two potential persons of interest, according to Interim Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles. Sayles emphasized that investigators had not determined whether either person fired a weapon. Detectives were working toward interviews and could make arrests if the evidence supports them.
At least four firearms were recovered at the scene, including weapons allegedly linked to the teenager and Niko-Semo. Police were testing the guns as they sought to establish who participated in the exchange.
Charges and disputed weapon evidence
Prosecutors accuse the teenager of recklessly firing into an area filled with adults and children. Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Logan Bryant argued that releasing him would pose a serious danger to the community.
The teen faces first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm by a person under 18. Prosecutors also filed a firearm sentencing enhancement. They allege he used a privately assembled Polymer80 firearm, commonly called a ghost gun, with an extended magazine capable of holding more than 30 rounds. The weapon allegedly lacked a standard serial number and carried a plate reading “1 SHOT 1 KILL.”
Custody and court proceedings
The defense asked a judge to release the teenager to his father’s home under electronic monitoring. The judge rejected that request last week and ordered him to remain in custody.
The case is scheduled for a juvenile court status hearing in October. Prosecutors plan to ask in November for the case to be transferred to adult court. The shooting also led to scrutiny of the city’s delayed public updates and its decision not to use the emergency alert system. Mayor Katie Wilson later accepted the resignation of Police Chief Shon Barnes after asking him to step down. Barnes defended his response and said he followed department protocol.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The teenager says he fired after being shot at. |
| 2 | Three people were killed and four were wounded at the festival. |
| 3 | Police are investigating two potential persons of interest. |
| 4 | The teen faces assault and unlawful firearm possession charges. |
| 5 | A juvenile hearing is set for October, with an adult-court request expected in November. |
Summary
The legal dispute centers on whether the teenager reacted to an attack or recklessly fired into a crowded public gathering. His defense points to eyewitness accounts and his statement to police, while prosecutors emphasize the alleged weapon, the crowded setting and the danger posed to civilians. The broader investigation remains open, with police still working to determine whether additional shooters were involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Bite of Seattle?
Gunfire erupted at the July 26 food festival near Seattle Center, killing three people and wounding four others, including a 2-year-old child.
What charges does the teenager face?
He faces first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm by a person under 18, along with a firearm sentencing enhancement.
Are other people charged?
No. The teenager is the only person charged, although police have identified two potential persons of interest and continue to investigate.
