Seattle police recovered a modified machine gun and an untraceable ghost gun from the scene of a mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival on Sunday, Police Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday. Three people died, including one suspect, and at least five others were wounded, among them a two-year-old boy.
Details of the Shooting
The shooting occurred at Seattle Center, a park near the Space Needle, during a three-day food festival. According to Barnes, at least three suspects were involved. Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, was killed at the scene. A 15-year-old suspect was disarmed and arrested. At least one other suspect remains at large.
Two victims not involved in the shooting were killed: Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, and Ashley Whitehead, 56. The wounded included a two-year-old boy hit by crossfire, and others were trampled as the crowd fled.
Weapons Recovered
Police seized a 9mm ghost gun from a Polymer80 parts kit from the 15-year-old suspect, and a Glock pistol modified with an auto sear allowing fully automatic fire. Both had extended magazines—the Glock holding 40 rounds and the ghost gun 33—exceeding Washington’s 10-round limit. A .45-caliber pistol was also recovered but not used in the crime. Barnes noted that ghost guns are difficult to trace, while illegal machine guns increase rate of fire and reduce accuracy.
“We’re working to determine the groups involved and what their relationship may be,” Barnes said, linking the shooting to gang violence.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are reviewing physical evidence, digital recordings, and camera footage. Police are seeking a person who arrived at a hospital with a possible gunshot wound. Barnes said there may be more than one at-large suspect.
