A summer night at the Bite of Seattle festival turned deadly on July 26, 2026, when 56-year-old Ashley Whitehead was struck by gunfire while waiting in line for cotton candy at the Seattle Center. Whitehead, who had moved from Alabama a year earlier to be closer to family, was with her daughter and future son-in-law. She was hit in the pelvis and died during surgery at Harborview Medical Center after her daughter exchanged last words with her.

Investigators say the shooting was part of a gang-related exchange involving at least three shooters. Two other people were killed and four more were wounded, including a two-year-old boy. Authorities recovered multiple firearms at the scene, including a ghost gun. One suspect, 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, was killed at the scene. A 15-year-old was arrested and charged with first-degree assault and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm; prosecutors have moved to transfer that case to adult court. Police, the FBI and ATF say at least one shooter remains at large and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who was at Bite of Seattle on the evening of July 26 or who has information about the shooters is asked to come forward.