Investigators say preliminary forensic evidence indicates that the bullets responsible for killing two bystanders during a deadly shooting at Seattle’s Bite of Seattle festival were not fired from the weapon carried by a 15-year-old suspect arrested at the scene.
According to court filings released Wednesday, police allege the teenager discharged an illegally possessed ghost gun during an exchange of gunfire that erupted near the end of the popular public event. He has been charged with first-degree assault involving a firearm and unlawful possession of a handgun.
Authorities said early ballistic examinations determined that the rounds recovered from the two deceased bystanders did not match the teen’s firearm. The findings suggest that multiple shooters were involved, and investigators are continuing efforts to identify the weapon responsible for the fatal shots.
Evidence collected at the scene indicates that at least four firearms were used during the confrontation. Police recovered three guns, but forensic analysis showed only two of those weapons had been fired. Investigators believe at least two firearms involved in the incident remain unaccounted for.
The shooting claimed three lives, including a 19-year-old suspected participant, while at least four additional people were injured. Among those hurt was a toddler. Authorities believe the violence was linked to gang-related activity, although the investigation remains ongoing.
Numerous police officers were already assigned to provide security at the festival when gunfire erupted. Witnesses reported hearing multiple shots before seeing people flee in panic. Court documents state that one witness observed a man running from the area where the initial shots were believed to have originated before seeing the teenage suspect draw a handgun from a bag and fire several rounds.
Officers quickly confronted the teenager, who surrendered without further resistance. Investigators recovered shell casings believed to have been fired from his weapon as part of the ongoing forensic examination.
Prosecutors have asked the court to transfer the case from juvenile court to adult court, a process that could take several months. Defense attorneys have indicated they will oppose the request.
If tried and convicted as an adult, the teenager could face a substantially longer prison sentence than would be possible under Washington’s juvenile justice system. However, state law allows judges discretion in certain cases involving juvenile offenders.
The King County Medical Examiner identified the two bystanders killed in the shooting as Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, and Ashley Whitehead, 56. Family members described both victims as beloved relatives whose lives ended while attending a community event.
Police continue to investigate the shooting and are asking anyone with information, photographs or video evidence to assist detectives as they work to identify the remaining suspects and determine exactly how the gunfire unfolded.
