As police continue to investigate Sunday’s mass shooting in Seattle, new information about the shooting victims has been released, including their identities.
According to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, two men died at the scene: 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, who had multiple gunshot wounds, and 44-year-old Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, who died from a gunshot wound to his torso. Ashley Whitehead, 56, died at the hospital from a gunshot wound to her pelvis.
Mayor Katie Wilson confirmed on Monday that the 19-year-old who died at the scene was involved in the shooting at the food and music festival held at the Seattle Center over three days. Police said in a court filing on Monday that they believe at least three suspects were involved in the shootout. It was originally thought there were two shooters.
Nicole Powell, assistant chief of investigations for the Seattle Police Department, said at a news conference on Monday that investigators believe the shooting may have been gang-related, with two groups firing at each other, according to The Associated Press.
All of the victims from Sunday night’s shooting have been discharged from the hospital and are recovering. The 2-year-old boy who was wounded by gunfire was discharged on Monday evening, according to a spokesperson from UW Medicine.
Ava Hendrix was at the festival enjoying an evening with her two adult children and 8-year-old niece when multiple people started shooting.
“We heard a bullet whiz right past us and hit a tree that was really close to us,” Hendrix said. “He was right behind us. I mean, it was so loud, and as I said, you know, we could hear the bullets flying. So, I honestly thought I was gonna die.”
As panic spread through the crowd and people ran for their lives, her son looked toward the gunfire.
“He saw people fall. He saw that, and as we were like exiting, we saw a woman who had been shot in her leg,” Hendrix said.
Several victims were transported to Harborview Medical Center with gunshot wounds to the arm, leg and abdomen.
“We had a 23-year-old and a 39-year-old, and the two-year-old, and then we had a woman that was 56 all arrive. Three were satisfactory upon arrival, one was critical,” said Susan Gregg, a spokesperson for Harborview Medical Center.
Officials say another possible victim showed up at a different area hospital.
“Last night, a 27-year-old male reported to UW Montlake in satisfactory condition with a gunshot wound; he has since been discharged, possibly the 8th patient. SPD has to follow up and interview this individual,” said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.
According to information released on online fundraising pages for two of the victims killed, they were at the Bite of Seattle on the final day of the festival with loved ones when they were caught in the crossfire.
Police detained a 15-year-old suspect and continue to investigate the shooting. A judge on Monday ordered the suspect held in juvenile detention for investigation of firearms violations and first-degree assault, AP reported.
