Seattle Center shooting victims id after 3 suspects started gunfight during the Bite of Seattle food festival leading to the shooting deaths of Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, Ashley Whitehead, 56, and teen suspect, Junior Cee Niko Semo.
Seattle, Washington state authorities have identified the three people who were gunned down during Sunday’s deadly Seattle food festival.
Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, were named as the victims who were fatally shot at the Bite Of Seattle festival, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Mayor Katie Wilson confirmed in a Monday afternoon statement that the 19-year-old killed at the scene was involved in the shooting.
Arrested suspect identified as 15-year-old
Previous reports told of gunfire erupting amid gang related gun violence, with authorities recovering at least 2 firearms at the scene.
Authorities following the mass shooting arrested a 15-year-old suspect who now faces firearms violations and first-degree assault.
Villalba was a beloved father of three, and Whitehead was a devoted mother to two daughters, their GoFundMe fundraisers stated.
Villalba was shot in the torso and died on the scene, while Whitehead was struck in the pelvis and later died at the hospital, ABC10 reported.
Devoted dad and mum gunned down during Seattle food festival
‘Ashley was waiting in line for cotton candy, enjoying the festival with her daughter, Zoie, and future son-in-law, Ben, when the violence began,’ a GoFundMe for Whitehead’s family read.
‘She was shot and, despite surviving long enough to exchange heartfelt “I love you’s” with her eldest daughter, passed away during surgery at Harborview.’
Villalba, who was described as ‘one of the best people on the planet,’ was spending time with loved ones when he tragically lost his life at the food festival, according to a GoFundMe created for his family.
‘Carlos was a devoted husband, loving father of three, and a loyal friend who would do anything for anyone,’ according to the fundraiser.
‘His kindness and generosity touched countless lives, and everyone who knew him remembers his gentle spirit and willingness to help others,’ it added.
Devoted mom had recently moved closer to be with daughter
The funds raised through Villalba’s campaign will help cover his family’s day-to-day needs and funeral costs.
Whitehead had recently moved to the west coast from Alabama to be closer to her daughter, Zoie.
Whitehead is remembered as a ‘lover of life, art and family.’ Her other daughter, Celeste, currently resides in Virginia.
This is the second fatal tragedy Whitehead’s daughter Zoie has endured, according to the GoFundMe. In 2018, she lost her partner of seven years, Michael, to heart failure.
4 victims wounded during crossfire shooting
All the money raised in the GoFundMe will be donated to Zoie, as she will use the funds to support her family and to cover the bereavement services.
At least four others were wounded in Sunday night’s shooting, most victims were discharged and are recovering.
The other victims – two men, ages 23 and 27, and a woman, 39 – were released, a hospital spokesperson said.
A two-year-old boy remains hospitalized after being struck by gunfire, but officials say he could be released as early as Monday.
NEW: This is reportedly one of the men shot and killed in the Seattle Center shooting. Sources say this was targeted and potentially gang related. 🧵👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/vYNcKf7Bvy
— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) July 27, 2026
3 suspects related to gang violence with unknown person still at large
The shootout erupted at the food festival near Seattle’s Space Needle just after 6pm, killing the three victims before police arrested a 15-year-old suspect.
In a document filed in juvenile court in Seattle, where the 15-year-old arrested in the case did not appear for a scheduled initial appearance Monday, police said they believe there were at least three shooters, rather than two: the 15-year-old; an acquaintance who died at the scene; and ‘at least one other unknown suspect.’
That suspect continues to remain at large the BBC reported.
‘Based on the evidence at the scene, investigators believe’ the 15-year-old ‘and one of the deceased engaged in a gunfight with at least one other unknown suspect,’ the document said.
Ahead of the hearing, police revealed in court documents that they believe that three suspects may have fired shots during the “gunfight”.
The 15-year-old teen was being held in juvenile detention for investigation of firearms violations and first-degree assault ahead of the scheduled court appearance, Mayor Katie Wilson said at a news conference.
It was not immediately clear why the teen did not appear in court and whether the suspect would also face upgraded charges.
The annual three-day festival draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers to Seattle Center, a sprawling park and event space in the shadow of the Space Needle.
The Bite of Seattle festival started in 1982 and draws 350,000 attendees, according to its website.
