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Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal also expressed condolences on social media. “Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this senseless violence,” Jayapal wrote.
Festival attendees described immediate panic as shots rang out near food vendors and photo booths. Crowds fled toward buildings and the nearby Seattle Children's Museum.
Faith Adia Hunter recounted how she and her friends fled into a building after realizing a shooter was nearby.
“We were right next to him when it started so we took off running,” Hunter said.
She added that she and others sought shelter inside the Seattle Children's Museum with the crowd.
Vendor Roberto Ramirez said he initially heard sounds resembling firecrackers before realizing what was happening. “Suddenly everything was empty,” Ramirez said.
He added that people were freaked out as crowds frantically ran toward the exits.
Estan Wakonabo described a rush of people fleeing and falling to the ground before hearing gunshots.
“Once I heard a pop, pop, pop, that is when I knew it was a shooter,” Wakonabo said.
After escorting his girlfriend to safety, he returned to the scene and saw multiple victims on the ground.
>>> Bite of Seattle Festival Shooting Leaves Two Dead, Five Injured
The annual Bite of Seattle festival, which began in 1982, draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and thousands of attendees over its three-day schedule.
