Three people died Saturday afternoon after a shooting at a Seattle waterfront festival. A second gunman remains at large, prompting a manhunt and forcing evacuation of the area.
Seattle Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire near Pier 57 at approximately 2:30 p.m. local time. Initial reports indicated multiple victims as festival-goers sought cover.
One suspect was apprehended at the scene. Police identified him as Marcus Thorne, 28. Charges are pending as the investigation develops.
Seattle Police Chief Adrian Vance described the second suspect as a male in his early 30s, wearing a dark hoodie and blue jeans, last seen fleeing eastbound from the pier.
The three victims were pronounced dead at Harborview Medical Center. Their identities have not been released, pending notification of next of kin. Several others sustained gunshot wounds; their conditions range from stable to critical.
Seattle Mayor Sarah Chen issued a statement Saturday evening expressing condolences to the victims' families and pledging full city resources to the investigation. She urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
The annual waterfront festival, which draws thousands of visitors, was immediately canceled. The area around Pier 57 and adjacent attractions was cordoned off as crime scene investigators processed the site.
Police established a perimeter extending several blocks from the incident. Public transportation routes were rerouted and vehicle traffic was suspended through the affected downtown core. The disruption continued into Saturday night.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and public cameras and interviewing dozens of witnesses present during the shooting. The motive is not yet clear.
The FBI is assisting the Seattle Police Department in the investigation. Authorities asked anyone with information regarding the second gunman to contact law enforcement immediately.
