Seattle shooting at Bite of Seattle festival sparks political backlash

A mass shooting occurred at the Bite of Seattle food festival on Sunday, July 26, 2026, resulting in three deaths and four injuries. Following the gunfire, 911 call volumes surged sixfold, rising from 16 calls in the 15 minutes prior to the incident to 95 calls within the first 15 minutes of the shooting. Police officers responded to the scene, performing CPR and administering first aid, and arrested a 15-year-old youth who has been charged with First Degree Assault, though officials do not believe his weapon was used in the fatal shots.

The incident has triggered significant political backlash against Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson. Critics have highlighted failures in crisis management, specifically noting that the city’s emergency alert system was not activated, leaving residents without information regarding shelter-in-place orders or suspect descriptions. Recent polling indicates a sharp decline in Wilson’s popularity; one poll shows a 22 percent job approval rating, with 60 percent of registered voters stating she should resign or be removed from office.