Three victims of Seattle shooting are identified including beloved mom
Three victims have been identified following a fatal shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival on Sunday evening that left multiple people dead and several others wounded near the iconic Space Needle.
Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, were named by the King County Medical Examiner's Office as the victims who died in the gunfire that erupted just after 6 p.m. at the popular annual event.
The Victims
Villalba, a devoted father of three, was shot in the torso and died at the scene. Described by loved ones as "one of the best people on the planet," he was spending time with family when the violence broke out at the festival, which was celebrating its 41st year and expected approximately 350,000 visitors over the three-day weekend.
Whitehead, a mother of two daughters, was struck in the pelvis while waiting in line for cotton candy with her eldest daughter Zoie and future son-in-law Ben. She survived long enough to exchange final "I love yous" with Zoie before dying during surgery at Harborview Medical Center.
The 56-year-old had recently relocated from Alabama to Washington to be closer to Zoie. The tragedy marks the second devastating loss for Zoie, who lost her partner of seven years to heart failure in 2018.
Mayor Katie Wilson confirmed that Semo, the 19-year-old killed at the scene, was involved in the gunfire exchange. Police arrested a 15-year-old male suspect and are searching for at least one additional shooter.
The Investigation
In court documents filed in juvenile court, investigators indicated they believe at least three shooters were involved: the arrested teenager, the deceased 19-year-old, and at least one other unknown suspect. Police say the 15-year-old and Semo engaged in a gunfight with the unidentified third party.
The shooting wounded at least four additional people. A two-year-old boy who was struck by gunfire remained hospitalized Monday but was expected to be released soon. Three other victims—two men aged 23 and 27, and a 39-year-old woman—were treated and released from the hospital.
Police and security officers who were already providing security at the festival heard the gunfire and responded within seconds. Dozens of officers were present at the event, and some witnessed one of the suspected shooters firing.
The Aftermath
The shooting occurred at Seattle Center, an 87-acre civic and cultural complex in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood that was constructed for the 1962 World's Fair. The festival, founded by Alan Silverman in 1982 at Green Lake Park with 25 restaurants before moving to Seattle Center in 1986, featured over 300 food and retail vendors and more than 50 musical artists. Admission was free.
Following the shooting, parts of Seattle Center were evacuated, including the Pacific Science Center. The Seattle Center Monorail was closed, and Harborview Medical Center was placed on partial lockdown amid heavy police presence.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson deployed members of the Washington State Patrol Special Weapons and Tactics team to assist local authorities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also assigned investigators to support the investigation.
The 15-year-old suspect was being held in juvenile detention for investigation of firearms violations and first-degree assault ahead of a scheduled court appearance Monday, though it was not immediately clear why the teen did not appear.
Community Support
GoFundMe campaigns have been established for both Villalba's and Whitehead's families. Funds for Villalba will help cover day-to-day needs and funeral costs for his wife and three children. Money raised for Whitehead will support her daughter Zoie and help cover bereavement services.
"Carlos was 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."
Whitehead is remembered as a "lover of life, art and family" who cherished time with both of her daughters.
The annual festival, which has been voted Best Food Festival in the United States in 2016 and 2017, provides a platform for emerging chefs and independent businesses, with a percentage of every sale supporting Seattle Center community programming.
