A shooting near Seattle Center during the annual Bite of Seattle food festival leaves multiple people injured, and police are investigating the incident. Seattle Police say they investigate a shooting and urge the public to avoid the area as emergency crews respond. The gunfire erupts around 6 p.m. local time, prompting panic and evacuations as attendees flee the area.

Seattle Fire Department officials say two people are killed and five others are wounded. A hospital spokesperson at Harborview Medical Center says four victims are admitted, including a toddler, a 23-year-old man, and two adult women, with at least one patient reported in critical condition.

Witness accounts cited by outlets describe hearing several shots and seeing people run, stumble, and fall during the chaos. Police have not said what may have motivated the shooting. Reports differ on the total number of fatalities and on whether the suspects exchange fire, but all accounts describe an investigation underway and ongoing search efforts for any additional suspect. Authorities have not released identities of victims or suspects.