Bite of Seattle Shootout: Teen Arrested, Fatal Bullets Unaccounted For
Preliminary tests reveal bullets killing two bystanders did not come from 15-year-old's ghost gun, complicating a case linked to gang violence.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Sarah Connor
Two bystanders were killed during a chaotic shootout at the Bite of Seattle festival, an incident that also left a 19-year-old gunman dead and at least four others injured.
A 15-year-old was arrested at the scene, subsequently charged with first-degree assault and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Preliminary tests indicate the bullets that killed the two victims were not fired from the 15-year-old's ghost gun.
Shell casings from four different firearms were found at the scene.
Authorities believe the violence was gang-related, a claim echoed by the Seattle Police Department.
The teen was seen firing an untraceable 'ghost gun' into the crowd.
The Seattle Police Department claims the teen was seen firing an untraceable 'ghost gun' into the crowd.
Despite the arrest, police have not indicated who might have fired the bullets that killed the bystanders.
Prosecutors have asked a judge to move the 15-year-old's case to adult court.
Police Chief Shon Barnes confirmed an eighth person with a possible gunshot wound checked themselves into a Seattle hospital after the shooting.
This individual left before investigators could conduct an interview.
The Seattle Police Department claims police have been trying to identify at least one other person involved in the shooting.
The presence of multiple weapons and the unconfirmed source of the fatal shots complicate the narrative, moving beyond a singular focus on the arrested youth.
The ongoing effort to identify additional individuals involved suggests the initial arrest may not represent the full scope of those responsible for the fatalities.
The legal push to try the 15-year-old as an adult stands in contrast to the uncertainty surrounding his direct role in the bystander deaths.
The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the events of that chaotic day and identify all parties responsible for the tragic loss of life.