The recent shooting at Seattle’s food festival resulted in the deaths of two bystanders. However, bullets that killed them might not have originated from a 15-year-old’s gun, according to police documents filed on Wednesday.
The King County prosecutor charged the teen with first-degree assault, including a firearm enhancement, and unlawful gun possession by a minor. Police reported the teen fired a ghost gun into the crowd, but initial bullet tests do not link this gun to the bystanders’ deaths.
The shootout involved four weapons, as suggested by shell casings found at the scene.
In the chaos of Sunday’s shooting at the “Bite of Seattle” festival, a 19-year-old suspect died. As police escorted the 15-year-old past this suspect, the teen expressed condolences. Authorities are still working to identify at least one more individual involved in the event.
The three-day festival ended tragically, leaving three dead, including the 19-year-old gunman, and injuring at least four, one of whom is a toddler. Police suspect gang involvement and are examining surveillance footage as well as talking to victims and witnesses for clues on others who may have participated.
Another individual sought medical care in a Seattle hospital for a possible gunshot wound related to the event but left before being interviewed by investigators. Police Chief Shon Barnes noted the challenge in identifying the person due to legal constraints but urged them to contact authorities.
Prosecutors requested the teen’s case be moved to adult court. This decision can take months and involves arguments from both defense and prosecution. A conviction in adult court could result in a sentence of eight to ten years plus an additional five years for firearm charges. However, Washington judges have the option to sentence minors as juveniles even in adult court.
Conversely, if tried in juvenile court, the teen might face a two to two-and-a-half-year sentence, with the possibility of additional time for the firearm enhancement remaining uncertain.
