Crime
Seattle Center Mass Shooting Leaves 2 Dead, 5 Injured Including 2-Year-Old Child
SEATTLE, Wash. — Two people were killed and five others were injured, including a 2-year-old child, after a mass shooting erupted at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle festival on Sunday evening, triggering panic as thousands of attendees fled the area.
The Seattle Police Department (SPD) confirmed it is investigating the deadly shooting, which unfolded shortly after 6 p.m. near the intersection of Sue Bird Court and Thomas Street, a busy area inside the popular annual food festival.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., Seattle police issued a public alert stating:
“Police are investigating a shooting. Multiple shooting victims. Shots fired at the Seattle Center. More information to come. Please avoid the area.”
Within minutes, large numbers of police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel flooded the scene as festivalgoers scrambled for safety.
Authorities quickly evacuated Seattle Center while first responders treated victims and secured the area.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene as repeated gunfire echoed through the festival grounds, causing hundreds of people to run in every direction.
Authorities have confirmed that two people were killed in the shooting, while five additional victims suffered gunshot wounds, including a 2-year-old child.
Officials have not yet released the identities of the victims or provided updates on the conditions of the surviving injured victims.
Seattle police confirmed that one suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
However, investigators have not announced whether additional suspects remain outstanding.
Several witnesses reported seeing three individuals fleeing the scene immediately after the gunfire erupted. According to witness accounts, one of the fleeing suspects was allegedly carrying an AR-style rifle. Other unconfirmed reports described one suspect as carrying what appeared to be an AK-style rifle.
Police have not officially confirmed those witness descriptions or the total number of suspects involved, and the investigation remains active.
The shooting sparked widespread chaos throughout the festival grounds as families desperately tried to escape.
Witnesses said parents grabbed their children and ran for cover while others hid behind vendor booths and nearby structures.
Several baby strollers were reportedly abandoned in the rush to escape as frightened families fled the area amid the gunfire.
Festival vendors and attendees described scenes of confusion and fear as emergency crews worked to reach victims and secure the crime scene.
Detectives continue processing the scene and interviewing witnesses as they work to determine what led to the shooting and whether additional suspects were involved.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or captured video of the incident to contact the Seattle Police Department as the investigation continues.
Officials are expected to release additional information, including the identities of the victims, possible motives, and any further criminal charges, as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.