SEATTLE — King County prosecutors on Tuesday charged the 15-year-old arrested at the Bite of Seattle, accusing the teen of firing multiple times into a crowd and unlawfully possessing a handgun.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said police referred the case as an assault and unlawful gun possession investigation, and that it is the only case referral from the Bite of Seattle that police have sent to the office.
Prosecutors filed one count of Assault in the First Degree with a firearm enhancement and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the Second Degree. The assault charge stems from allegations the teen fired multiple times into a crowd. The gun charge alleges the teen unlawfully possessed a firearm; people under age 18 cannot legally possess a handgun.
When someone is charged with Assault in the First Degree as a 16- or 17-year-old in Washington state, that case moves to adult court without a hearing.
Because the suspect is 15, the question of whether the case should be handled in adult court will be decided by a judge if prosecutors make that request when the case is filed. Prosecutors said they made a motion Tuesday to decline juvenile jurisdiction, asking a judge to allow criminal prosecution as an adult. Prosecutors emphasized that the motion does not mean the case is declined.
A judge will make that determination after hearing from prosecutors and defense, a process prosecutors said typically takes several months.
Prosecutors are asking for the teen to remain in secure detention. That decision will be made by a judge after hearing from prosecutors and defense and the juvenile probation counselor.
Prosecutors also addressed questions about why a murder charge was not filed. They said police investigators have not referred the case as a murder case because the investigation is ongoing. If investigators refer information for additional charges, prosecutors said they will review it immediately.
The prosecuting attorney’s office said no previous cases involving the 15-year-old were sent by police to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
TIMELINE | Untangling inconsistencies, seeking accountability in Bite of Seattle shooting
The mass shooting at Seattle Center killed two innocent bystanders and wounded four others.
A third person killed in the shooting, identified as 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, is believed to be one of the suspects.
The two innocent bystanders who were killed in the crossfire were identified as Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, and Ashley Whitehead, 56.
As the American flag on the Space Needle flies at half-staff, police continue to look for at least one other person. They are working to develop a description, identify, and then locate that suspect.
SPD Chief Shon Barnes said Tuesday there could be more than one outstanding suspect.
“While there has been information circulating that we’re looking for only one suspect, we’re not saying that,” Barnes said. “It’s possible there could be more, but because of conflicting witness statements, we’re trying to determine who was involved.”
The 15-year-old and the 19-year-old are believed to be the shooters, Barnes said.
Authorities believe the shooting was gang-related violence and are currently trying to determine which groups were involved.
Police recovered three guns from the scene, including a ghost gun and a Glock 45 modified with a fully automatic switch.
A combined 33 rounds were missing.
Meanwhile, with a busy summer of events ahead, including Seafair this weekend, safety is a concern in light of Sunday’s shooting.
Barnes said the SPD is bolstering its officer presence at events and will provide help and support to Seattle Center staff, as needed.
“It would be nice to know what the mayor and the police chief are doing to make sure (Seattle Center) stays safe,” Lorrie McKay from Seattle said.
It was a common response from WNBA fans who packed into Climate Pledge Arena for the Storm game two days after a shooting at Seattle Center sent crowds into a panic.
Seattle Center is hosting a silent vigil Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to honor everyone impacted by the shooting.
On Monday, a group of about 100 people gathered at Seattle Center’s International Fountain to honor the victims.
