SEATTLE (AP) — Police searched for a second suspect Monday after gunfire erupted at a crowded food festival beneath Seattle's Space Needle, leaving three people dead and four others wounded, including a toddler. Another suspect was earlier arrested.
Investigators believe the two suspects were shooting at each other Sunday and, although one remained on the loose, Assistant Seattle Police Chief Tyrone Davis told a news conference Sunday night that there was no ongoing threat to the public.
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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, center, speaks at a news conference after a shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Police respond to a shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
An unidentified man is led into the scene by police after they responded to a shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A Seattle Police officer walks through tents with colorful toys at the scene of a shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A crime scene photographer arrives as law enforcement examines the scene following a shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Police did not have a description of the outstanding suspect, he said.
“We’re still trying to figure this out,” Davis said. Police did not immediately respond to phone and email messages early Monday.
Two people died at the scene and a third died at a hospital. They were described as two men, ages 19 and 44, and a 56-year-old woman.
The four wounded, including a 2-year-old boy, were hospitalized and in stable condition early Monday, police said. The rest of the wounded were adults. Davis couldn't say if any of the victims were involved in the confrontation.
The gunfire erupted around 6 p.m. Sunday in the waning hours of the Bite of Seattle, an annual three-day festival that draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers.
Dozens of officers were providing security at the event and some saw one of the suspects firing, Davis said. One suspect surrendered at the scene, but the other fled. Law enforcement searched the grounds to no avail.
A large number of police and emergency crews responded and began evacuating the area around the sprawling Seattle Center campus.
Faith Adia Hunter said she and her friends had just gotten food from a crepe vendor when gunfire broke out. She realized a shooter was near them. She and others found shelter in the nearby Seattle Children’s Museum.
“We were right next to him when it started so we took off running,” Hunter said. “So we took off running too into the building with the crowd.”
In the chaos, many vendors bolted toward the exits, abandoning their food stands. Hours afterward, some milled outside the police tape, wondering when they would be allowed to return to collect their tents, food and cooking gear.
Roberto Ramirez, a vendor at the event, said he heard what sounded like firecrackers before people began yelling “shooter” and frantically running.
“Suddenly everything was empty,” he said. “People were freaked out.”
After the initial panic, new guests continued to arrive unaware of what had happened and were told by police to leave, he said.
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 take photos and saw multiple victims on the ground, Wakonabo said.
The festival started in 1982 and draws 350,000 attendees, according to its website.
Associated Press journalists Manuel Valdes and Lindsey Wasson in Seattle, Annika Wolters in Bangkok and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, center, speaks at a news conference after a shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Police respond to a shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
An unidentified man is led into the scene by police after they responded to a shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle, Wash. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A Seattle Police officer walks through tents with colorful toys at the scene of a shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A crime scene photographer arrives as law enforcement examines the scene following a shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 27, 2026--
PGIM has agreed to acquire the remaining 25% interest in Deerpath Capital; bringing the firm’s ownership to 100%. This transaction follows PGIM’s initial acquisition of a 75% stake announced in May 2023 and is subject to regulatory approval.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260727723428/en/
The acquisition will strengthen PGIM’s direct lending platform by adding Deerpath Capital’s lower middle market expertise to PGIM’s existing core middle market and large cap capabilities. With the addition of Deerpath’s lower middle market platform, PGIM will be positioned among a select group of asset managers with capabilities across the direct lending spectrum, with a combined $16B in AUM across a team of 55 investment professionals.*
“As direct lenders have scaled, many have moved into the large cap segment. We continue to believe the traditional middle market remains an attractive and important segment for borrowers and investors,” said Matt Harvey, PGIM’s global head of middle market direct lending. “By moving to full ownership of Deerpath Capital, we are creating a more coordinated and scaled direct lending platform while preserving the investment discipline that has underpinned Deerpath Capital’s success. That combination better positions us to serve sponsors, borrowers and investors across the direct lending spectrum.”
The comprehensive platform will allow for continued support of private equity sponsored and non-sponsored businesses as they grow and transition across the middle market and large cap market over time. More broadly, full ownership is expected to strengthen sponsor coverage and coordination while supporting more tailored direct lending solutions across borrower size segments and cohesive investor distribution and client service.
Deerpath Capital CEO James Kirby commented: “As one of the world's leading asset managers, PGIM is an ideal home for Deerpath, combining deep capital resources, asset management expertise and global relationships. Tas and I have developed an excellent working relationship with our colleagues at PGIM, and we look forward to the next chapter as part of the comprehensive PGIM Credit platform.”
James Kirby and Tas Hasan will continue to lead the Deerpath investment process and investment committee governance for Deerpath funds while assuming leadership roles in PGIM Credit.
James Kirby will contribute investment strategy thought leadership across middle market direct lending. Matt Harvey and Tas Hasan will lead the middle market direct lending platform together. The transaction will not alter Deerpath’s existing investment team capabilities, investment process or approach to underwriting.
ABOUT PGIM
PGIM is the global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. ( NYSE: PRU ), with $1.4 trillion in assets under management.* PGIM offers clients deep expertise across public and private asset classes, delivering a diverse range of investment strategies and tailored solutions—including fixed income, equities, real estate and alternatives. With 1,500+ investment professionals across 40 offices in 20 countries, we serve retail and institutional clients worldwide. For more information, visit pgim.com.
Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI) of the United States is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom or with Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom. For more information please visit news.prudential.com.
ABOUT DEERPATH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P
Deerpath Capital is an established private credit manager providing customized, cash-flow-based senior debt financing to sponsor-backed U.S. lower middle market companies. With a singular focus on this segment for nearly two decades, the firm has invested over $15 billion across more than 1,200 transactions and manages more than $9 billion in AUM as of March 31, 2026. Deerpath operates through regional origination and underwriting teams in the U.S. which are supported by global investor coverage across major U.S. markets, the U.K., Europe, Australia, Japan, Korea, and the Middle East. The firm’s focused strategy, deep lower middle market expertise, long-standing sponsor relationships, disciplined credit philosophy, and comprehensive direct lending platform define the Deerpath Difference. For more information, please visit www.deerpathcapital.com.
* As of Mar. 31, 2026.
The information contained herein is provided by PGIM, the principal asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI), and a trading name of PGIM, Inc. and its global subsidiaries and affiliates.
Please visit the Important Disclosures page on PGIM.com for additional information.
This information is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation, or a solicitation where prohibited. Certain information has been obtained from sources that PGIM believes to be reliable as of the date presented; however, PGIM does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Information may be changed without notice, and PGIM has no obligation to update it.
PGIM and its affiliates may develop and publish research that is independent of and different from the information contained herein.
© 2026 Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI) and its related entities. All rights reserved.
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“PGIM is an ideal home for Deerpath, combining deep capital resources, asset management expertise and global relationships.” --James Kirby, CEO, Deerpath Capital
“We continue to believe the traditional middle market remains an attractive and important segment for borrowers and investors.” --Matt Harvey, Global Head of Middle Market Direct Lending, PGIM
