FirstAlerts

Medical Examiner Identifies Three Killed in Bite of Seattle Shooting

The King County Medical Examiner's Office named Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, after the July 26 shooting at Seattle Center; a hospital spokesman said four others were wounded.

2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 8, 2026, 9:53 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Jul 27, 2026, 3:26 p.m. ETWritten Aug 17, 2026, 6:56 p.m. ET
The King County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the people killed in the shooting at the Bite of food festival at Center as Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19. other people were wounded, according to a hospital spokesman. The shooting occurred on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in . The shootout erupted at the food festival near 's Space Needle just after 6pm. Police said they recovered guns at the scene. . The casualty figures in the available record do not fully agree. The identifications of the dead came from the medical examiner's office, and the count of those wounded from a hospital spokesman; a Fox News Digital article said people died and others were shot at the Bite of food festival at Center on Sunday. Andre Sayles, the deputy chief named interim police chief by Mayor Katie Wilson, said "the ongoing investigation into the Center shooting remains a top priority." He added: "The men and women of the department continue working tirelessly to identify and arrest anyone responsible. In light of the tragic incident, the Police Department has heard from our community about safety concerns at public gatherings and events." Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis, speaking about the food festival shooting, said "there may be more." The available record contains no further detail on that remark. In naming Sayles, Wilson said: "I chose Andre Sayles because he has done this job before and can hit the ground running. He served as chief of police in Wisconsin, where he led with a community-focused approach that strengthened both public safety and community trust. He has earned the respect of our police force in his time here, and that is exactly what we need right now." Speaking about Chief Barnes, she said: "Chief Barnes has served this department and this city with dedication, and I am grateful for his service. The courage and professionalism that the officers of the Police Department showed deserves to be honored." Wilson also said, "I do not take lightly what it means to make decisions that affect people's safety and their lives." Police, the Police Department and the King County Medical Examiner's Office are the agencies listed as responding. This account carries no information on whether anyone has been arrested, on any suspect, or on what led to the shooting.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 8, 2026, 9:53 p.m. ETFirst report

    Three Killed, Four Wounded in Shooting at Bite of Seattle Festival

    Three people were killed and four wounded in a shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival at Seattle Center on Sunday, July 26, 2026, according to reporting by dailymail.com. The Daily Mail reported that the shooting erupted just after 6pm at the festival grounds near the Space Needle. The annual three-day event fills the park and event space with hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers.

    The King County Medical Examiner's Office identified the three people killed as Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44; Ashley Whitehead, 56; and Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19. The figure of three killed and four wounded was reported by dailymail.com, attributed to the medical examiner's office for those killed and to a hospital spokesman for those wounded.

    Police have arrested a 15-year-old male, who is being held in juvenile detention, according to reporting by dailymail.com, and are looking for a third person. Police said an acquaintance of the 15-year-old died at the scene.

    The case remains open and developing. Officials have not stated a cause or a motive, and no such determination has been made public.

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Revision history

  1. Version 19 Aug 2026, 01:53current

    First published.

  2. Version 117 Aug 2026, 22:56current

    First published.

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