Seattle was in mourning on Monday after three people were killed in a deadly street gunfight the day before at the annual Bite of Seattle food festival. Residents gathered to pay tribute to the victims, while online fundraisers for two of them drew tens of thousands of dollars in donations.
The people who died on Sunday at the three-day free festival were Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, and Ashley Whitehead, 56. At least four other people were injured in the shooting, which took place on the final day of the event, an annual gathering that draws some 350,000 people each year.
Who were the victims?
Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba was described in a GoFundMe page as
a devoted husband, loving father of three, and a loyal friend who would do anything for anyone. The write-up said,
His kindness and generosity touched countless lives, and everyone who knew him remembers his gentle spirit and willingness to help others,and added,
His sudden passing has left his family heartbroken and facing an uncertain future.His family said the money raised would go toward funeral expenses and help fill the void in his absence. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
Family members of Ashley Whitehead said she was standing in line with her daughter, waiting for cotton candy, when gunshots rang out and ended her life. She died in hospital during surgery after exchanging
heartfelt 'I love you's with her eldest daughter, her family said on the GoFundMe page launched after her death. Whitehead was described as
a lover of life, art and family. The page said,
Family was everything to Ashley - she had recently moved to the west coast from Alabama to be closer to Zoie, referring to her eldest daughter.
What happened at the festival?
Sunday was the final day of the annual three-day free food festival, which attracts large crowds to Seattle each year. The shooting erupted during the event and left three people dead and at least four others wounded.
How is Seattle responding?
By Monday evening, dozens of people, including the city’s mayor, had gathered at a local fountain for a candlelight vigil. Mourners laid flowers and lit candles as they came together in grief, and there was a call for a moment of silence.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson condemned the violence, saying,
This is not acceptable,and added,
No father, no parent should have to bury their child.Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson said in a social media post that the community was shocked and
struggling to make sense of how an iconic community celebration could end in gunfire.
What do police believe happened?
Police suspect the third deceased victim, Junior Cee Niko Semo, was involved in the gunfight. Neither of the other two victims are suspected of any crimes.
Authorities believe at least two other suspects were involved, including a 15-year-old who is in custody and a third unidentified person. Police said at a news conference on Tuesday that the attack was a
targetedact of gang violence, and they are still investigating what groups may have been involved.
Three guns have been recovered from the scene, including an unregistered
ghost gunwith an extended 33-bullet magazine and a pistol with a fully automatic switch.
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said investigators want to speak to one person who went to hospital with a gunshot wound but left before speaking to police. He said they have been unable to obtain this person’s ID.
Key Facts
- Three people were killed on Sunday at the Bite of Seattle food festival.
- The victims were Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19; Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44; and Ashley Whitehead, 56.
- At least four others were injured in the shooting.
- Police say the attack was a targeted act of gang violence.
- Three guns were recovered from the scene, including a ghost gun and a pistol with a fully automatic switch.
