Teen Claims Self-Defense in Seattle Food Festival Shooting

A 15-year-old boy accused of participating in a deadly shootout at a Seattle food festival argues he acted in self-defense. Authorities are still searching for others involved in the incident.

The teenager allegedly withdrew a handgun and fired after two unknown individuals began shooting at him and his friend at the Bite of Seattle on July 26. This claim was stated by his attorney in court documents obtained by KOMO News.

The shooting led festivalgoers to flee near the Space Needle. The incident resulted in three deaths and four injuries, including a 2-year-old boy, as reported by Fox News Digital.

Police described the shooting as gang-related, which unfortunately involved innocent bystanders. The deceased were identified as 19-year-old Niko-Semo, a 44-year-old man, and a 56-year-old woman.

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Currently, the teen remains the only individual charged concerning the shooting more than a month after the event.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office indicated that no further cases have been presented by police aside from that of the 15-year-old.

Interim Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles mentioned that police have identified two potential persons of interest after reviewing approximately 450 hours of video. However, it remains unclear if these individuals were involved in the shooting.

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Sayles emphasized the potential need to interview these individuals but did not label them as shooters.

No additional arrests have been made, but detectives are working on conducting interviews and may proceed with arrests if evidence warrants.

The accused teen, unnamed due to his juvenile status, states he only fired back after being shot at.

His public defender, Hong Tran, claims eyewitnesses support this version of events. According to Tran, the teenager had come to the festival for enjoyment and was positioned near Niko-Semo when the initial shots were fired.

Despite witnesses observing the teen aiming and firing in the direction of the incoming shots, prosecutors contest this self-defense claim.

Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Logan Bryant argued the boy’s behavior was dangerous, endangering the crowd that included children and adults who attended the festival.

The charges against the teen include first-degree assault with a deadly weapon and second-degree unlawful firearm possession for a person under 18. An additional firearm sentencing enhancement accompanies the assault charge, although his shots did not cause any fatalities.

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Prosecutors revealed the teen possessed a Polymer80 “ghost gun” with an extended magazine. The gun, privately assembled, lacked a conventional serial number and featured an engraved vanity plate.

Investigators discovered at least four firearms at the scene, alleged to be linked to the teen and Niko-Semo. Ongoing tests aim to identify other shooting participants.

The teen’s attorney sought his release under electronic monitoring at his father’s residence, a request denied by the judge.

Criticism followed the event over Seattle’s delay in public updates and failure to utilize its emergency alert system. Subsequent discussions led to Police Chief Shon Barnes’ resignation, requested by the mayor.

The boy is scheduled for a juvenile court status hearing in October. Prosecutors plan to urge a judge in November to transfer the case to adult court.