Seattle Mourns Victims of Bite of Seattle Food Festival Shooting

Much of Seattle was mourning on Monday as residents honored the three victims of a deadly street shooting that occurred the previous day.

The mayor joined dozens at a local fountain for a candlelight vigil, and online fundraisers for two victims attracted tens of thousands of dollars in donations.

Those who died on Sunday at the annual Bite of Seattle food festival were Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19; Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44; and Ashley Whitehead, 56. At least four others were injured.

A GoFundMe for Villalba described him as a devoted husband, loving father of three, and a loyal friend who would do anything for anyone.

His kindness and generosity touched countless lives, and everyone who knew him remembers his gentle spirit and willingness to help others.

His sudden passing has left his family heartbroken and facing an uncertain future.

The family has said that the funds will cover funeral expenses and help fill the void left by his absence, leaving behind a wife and three children.

Sunday was the final day of the annual three‑day free food festival, which draws roughly 350,000 attendees each year.

Family members of Ashley Whitehead said she was standing in line with her daughter, waiting for cotton candy, when gunshots rang out and ended her life.

She died in the hospital during surgery, after exchanging heartfelt “I love you”s with her eldest daughter, according to the GoFundMe page launched after her death.

Whitehead was described as “a lover of life, art and family.”

Family was everything to Ashley — she had recently moved to the West Coast from Alabama to be closer to Zoie, her eldest daughter, the writeup said.

At the vigil on Monday evening, people laid flowers and lit candles as they gathered in grief, observing a moment of silence.

“This is not acceptable,” Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said, condemning gun violence. “No father, no parent should have to bury their child.”

Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson said on social media that the community was shocked and “struggling to make sense of how an iconic community celebration could end in gunfire.”

Police suspect the third deceased victim, Junior Cee Niko Semo, was involved in the gunfight; neither of the other two victims are suspected of any crimes.

Authorities believe at least two other suspects were involved, including a 15‑year‑old who is in custody and a third unidentified person.

Police said at a news conference on Tuesday that the attack was a “targeted” act of gang violence. They are still investigating which groups may have been involved.

Three guns have been recovered from the scene, including an unregistered “ghost gun” with an extended 33‑bullet magazine and a pistol with a fully automatic switch.

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said they want to speak to a person who went to the hospital with a gunshot wound but left before speaking to police; his ID remains unknown.

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