Seattle police have revealed that the bullets which killed two bystanders during a shootout at a busy food festival do not seem to originate from the weapon a 15-year-old suspect was using. Court documents, filed on Wednesday, disclose that the King County prosecutor’s office charged the teenager with first-degree assault, with an enhancement for using a firearm, alongside unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor.
The police, supporting these charges, stated that the teenager was observed firing an untraceable ghost gun into the crowd. Yet, initial tests on the bullets that killed the bystanders suggest they did not come from this gun. Evidence from shell casings found at the scene suggest that four different guns were fired during the event.
The incident, which occurred at the closing hours of the Bite of Seattle festival, resulted in three fatalities, including a 19-year-old shooter. Four others sustained injuries, among them a toddler. Police report that a 19-year-old suspect died in the gun battle. When officers led the 15-year-old suspect past the deceased, the suspect said, “Love you bro.” Authorities are still working to identify at least one other suspect involved in the shooting.
Investigators attribute the violence to gang-related activities and are examining surveillance footage, conducting interviews with victims and witnesses, to pinpoint other potential participants. The police chief, Shon Barnes, mentioned that an individual checked into a Seattle hospital with a suspected gunshot wound but left before they could be interviewed. He urged this person to contact investigators to clarify their involvement.
Prosecutors have petitioned to try the case in adult court, a process that might take months as the judge reviews the arguments. Conviction as an adult could lead to a prison sentence ranging between eight to 10 years, with an additional five years possibly added due to the firearm enhancement. However, judges in Washington can elect to sentence juveniles in a juvenile court even if they are convicted as adults. In a juvenile setting, potential sentences range from two to two and a half years. It’s yet to be clarified if the firearm enhancement would influence the juvenile detention duration.