TWO KILLED AND FIVE INJURED IN SHOOTING AT SEATTLE FOOD FESTIVAL

Two people have been killed and five others injured after a gunman opened fire at the Bite of Seattle Food Festival near the city's Space Needle building early on Monday. Fire department officials confirmed two deaths at the scene. According to fire chiefs, five people sustained injuries: a 56-year-old woman was hospitalised in serious condition, whilst a two-year-old boy, a 39-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man were hospitalised in stable condition. A 40-year-old woman sustained minor injuries but declined hospital transport.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced that two suspects had been taken into custody shortly after the incident. The identities of those arrested have not been disclosed. Wilson issued a statement thanking Seattle police officers who responded to the scene, saying: "Impacted families are living through the worst moment of their lives, and an entire community is trying to understand how a gathering built around culture, connection, and joy ended in gunfire." Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal confirmed that authorities were monitoring the situation closely and coordinating across multiple levels of government to obtain updates.

The incident occurred at the Seattle Centre, a major public gathering space. Mayor Wilson stated that Seattle would stand with affected families in the difficult days ahead. Officials from the Seattle Police Department and first responders worked at the scene following the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing, with further details expected to emerge as authorities continue their inquiries.