SEATTLE — Preliminary ballistic testing has revealed that the bullets that killed two innocent bystanders during a chaotic shooting at a crowded Seattle food festival last weekend were not fired from the weapon carried by the 15-year-old suspect arrested at the scene, according to court documents released Wednesday.
The findings have added a new layer of complexity to the investigation, as authorities now believe at least four different firearms were used during the exchange of gunfire, suggesting multiple shooters were involved in the deadly incident.
Investigation Points to Multiple Shooters
According to court filings, investigators recovered shell casings from the scene that indicate four separate weapons were fired during the shootout, which erupted amid large crowds attending the popular festival.
Police say the arrested teenager was seen repeatedly firing an untraceable “ghost gun” into the crowd during the violence. However, forensic experts conducting preliminary ballistic analysis determined that the bullets recovered from the two victims who died did not match the teen’s firearm.
Authorities emphasized that the testing remains preliminary and that additional forensic examinations are ongoing as investigators work to determine which weapon fired the fatal shots.
Teen Faces Serious Criminal Charges
Despite the ballistic findings, prosecutors say the teenager still played a significant role in the incident.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged the 15-year-old with first-degree assault with a firearm and unlawful possession of a handgun. Officials allege the teen intentionally fired multiple rounds into a densely packed crowd, creating an extreme risk to public safety regardless of whether his weapon caused the fatalities.
Court documents describe the firearm as a ghost gun, a privately assembled weapon that lacks a serial number, making it difficult for law enforcement to trace its origin.
Two Innocent Bystanders Killed
The shooting unfolded during a busy food festival attended by families, vendors, and visitors enjoying the weekend event. Panic erupted as gunfire rang out, sending hundreds of people running for cover.
Two bystanders who had no apparent involvement in the confrontation were struck and killed. Several others were also injured, though authorities have not released updated details on the conditions of all victims.
Investigators have not publicly identified the deceased while authorities continue notifying family members.
Search Continues for Others Involved
The discovery that multiple firearms were used has intensified efforts to identify and locate any additional suspects involved in the gunfight.
Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and examining forensic evidence to reconstruct exactly how the shooting unfolded and determine who fired the fatal shots.
Officials have urged anyone who attended the festival and captured photos or videos of the incident to share them with investigators, saying even small pieces of evidence could prove critical.
Ballistic Analysis Remains Ongoing
Law enforcement officials cautioned that the investigation is still in its early stages and that ballistic testing continues. While preliminary evidence indicates the teen’s weapon was not responsible for the two deaths, investigators are working to match recovered bullets and shell casings to the other firearms believed to have been used.
Authorities say additional arrests remain possible as the investigation progresses.
The shooting has renewed concerns over gun violence at public events and the growing use of ghost guns, which have become an increasing challenge for law enforcement agencies because they can be assembled without serial numbers and are difficult to trace.
Police have pledged to continue pursuing everyone responsible for the violence, stressing that all individuals who participated in the shootout could face serious criminal charges, regardless of who fired the fatal rounds.
