15-year-old suspect in Bite of Seattle shooting released on home detention
Zachary Fletcher, USA TODAYFri, October 23, 2026 at 3:56 PM UTC
A 15-year-old suspect in the fatal Bite of Seattle shooting, which left three people dead and four others injured on July 26, has been released from juvenile detention.
King County Superior Court judge Veronica Galván ordered the teenager, whom USA TODAY is not naming because he is a minor, to be placed on electronic home monitoring on Oct. 21. According to court documents, the suspect cannot visit Seattle Center or have any contact with others involved in the shooting case. A detention review hearing is set for next month to check on the teenager's compliance with Judge Galván's release order.
The teenager was arrested at the scene of July's Seattle Center shooting and later charged with first-degree assault and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to court documents. Prosecutors are asking to charge the 15-year-old suspect as an adult. Police recovered an illegal, homemade 9mm "ghost gun" and a Glock 9mm pistol at the scene of the shooting.
In addition to the deaths of bystanders Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, at least four other attendees were injured, including a toddler.
Authorities have found no evidence connecting the 15-year-old suspect's gun to the deaths of two bystanders during the July shooting. Another person who died at the scene, 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko-Semo, is thought to be an associate of the 15-year-old and involved in the incident, police said in July.
Local authorities are still looking for another unknown suspect. Former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned days after the shooting after facing criticism of his response to the incident.
What happened at Seattle Center?
On Sunday, July 26, multiple people fired shots near the Armory Building at Seattle Center around 6 p.m. Seven people were caught in the crossfire, along with a possible eighth, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said at a July 27 press conference.
Three people were killed in the shooting, according to the Seattle Police Department. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Seattle Fire Department, while another victim later died of their injuries in the hospital.
The venue was hosting the final day of the Bite of Seattle food festival.
What do we know about the victims?
Three people were killed during the shooting. Local officials confirmed the deaths at a July 27 press conference and the King County Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed the identity of the three victims:
Ashley Whitehead, 56
Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44
Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19.
Zachary Fletcher is a trending news reporter with USA TODAY Network's Washington state team. Keep up with him on X (@zdfletch), BlueSky (@zfletcher.bsky.social) or reach him at zfletcher@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 15-year-old suspect in Bite of Seattle shooting released on home detention
Source: Crime
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