SEATTLE (AP) — Multiple people were injured in a shooting Sunday night at an events complex close to the Space Needle in Seattle, police said.

Authorities did not immediately release more information. Police were investigating the shooting and urged people to avoid the area.

The Seattle Center was hosting the Bite of Seattle food festival over the weekend.

Estan Wakonabo said he and his girlfriend were at the festival waiting in line for a photo booth when he was shoved from behind and he turned to see a rush of people fleeing.

“People were hiding, were pushing, people were falling on the ground, baby strollers were falling,” Wakonabo said, adding that was when he heard gunshots.

“Once I heard a ‘pop, pop, pop,’ that’s when I knew it was a shooter,” he said.

After he escorted his girlfriend to safety, he returned to the scene to make photos and saw multiple victims on the ground, Wakonabo said.

The annual festival started in 1982 and draws 350,000 attendees over “three days of food, drink, and community celebration,” according to its website.

By EUGENE JOHNSON
Associated Press