Three victims of Seattle shooting are identified including beloved mom

Three people have been named as the tragic victims who were killed during a shooting at a Seattle food festival. 

Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, were named as the victims fatally sH๏τ at the Bite Of Seattle festival, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Mayor Katie Wilson confirmed in a Monday afternoon statement that the 19-year-old killed at the scene was involved in the gunfire exchange. Police arrested another suspect, a 15-year-old male. They are looking for a third person.

Villalba, a beloved father of three, was sH๏τ in the torso and died on the scene.

Whitehead, a devoted mother to two daughters, was struck in the pelvis and later died at the hospital, a GoFundMe fundraiser stated.

The mom was ‘waiting in line for cotton candy, enjoying the festival with her daughter, Zoie, and future son-in-law, Ben, when the violence began,’ the GoFundMe for Whitehead’s family reads.

‘She was sH๏τ and, despite surviving long enough to exchange heartfelt “I love yous” with her eldest daughter, pᴀssed away during surgery at Harborview.’

Villalba, who was described as ‘one of the best people on the planet,’ was spending time with loved ones when he tragically lost his life at the food festival, according to a GoFundMe created for his family. 

Seattle shooting victim Ashley Whitehead, 56, is one of three people killed in the July 26, 2026, mᴀss shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival

Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, was fatally sH๏τ at the food festival in Seattle on Sunday

‘Carlos was a devoted husband, loving father of three, and a loyal friend who would do anything for anyone,’ according to the fundraiser.

‘His kindness and generosity touched countless lives, and everyone who knew him remembers his gentle spirit and willingness to help others,’ it added.

The funds raised through Villalba’s campaign will help cover his family’s day-to-day needs and funeral costs.

Whitehead had recently moved to the west coast from Alabama to be closer to her daughter, Zoie.  

Whitehead is remembered as a ‘lover of life, art and family.’ Her other daughter, Celeste, currently resides in Virginia.

This is the second fatal tragedy Whitehead’s daughter Zoie has endured, according to the GoFundMe. 

In 2018, she lost her partner of seven years, Michael, to heart failure. 

All the money raised in the GoFundMe will be donated to Zoie, as she will use the funds to support her family and to cover the bereavement services.

Along with Carlos, at least four others were wounded in Sunday night’s shooting

Carlos is remembered as a devoted husband, loving father of three, and a loyal friend

Villalba was struck in the torso and died on the scene

The funds raised through Villalba’s campaign will help cover his family’s day-to-day needs and funeral costs

In 2018, Whitehead’s daughter Zoie lost her partner of seven years, Michael, to heart failure

Whitehead, a beloved mom of two daughters, was struck in the pelvis and later died at the hospital

Whitehead pictured with her daughter Zoie

The 56-year-old mother had recently moved to the west coast from Alabama to be closer to her daughter, Zoie

‘We are reaching out to the community for help. Any support you can offer—whether through donations or sharing this fundraiser—will make a meaningful difference for Zoie and Ben as they navigate the aftermath of Ashley’s pᴀssing and the trauma of the mᴀss shooting,’ the fundraiser added. 

At least four others were wounded in Sunday night’s shooting, most victims were discharged and are recovering.

The other victims – two men, ages 23 and 27, and a woman, 39 – were released, a hospital spokesperson said. 

A two-year-old boy remains hospitalized after being struck by gunfire, but officials say he could be released as early as Monday.

The shootout erupted at the food festival near Seattle’s Space Needle just after 6pm, killing the three victims before police arrested a 15-year-old suspect. 

In a document filed in juvenile court in Seattle, where the 15-year-old arrested in the case did not appear for a scheduled initial appearance Monday, police said they believe there were at least three shooters, rather than two: the 15-year-old; an acquaintance who died at the scene; and ‘at least one other unknown suspect.’

‘Based on the evidence at the scene, investigators believe’ the 15-year-old ‘and one of the deceased engaged in a gunfight with at least one other unknown suspect,’ the document said.

The teen was being held in juvenile detention for investigation of firearms violations and first-degree ᴀssault ahead of the scheduled court appearance, Mayor Katie Wilson said at a news conference.

The entrance to ‘Bite of Seattle’ is seen as police respond to a shooting at Seattle Center

Police attend to a person after a shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle food festival

Police officers detain a man near Seattle Center

It was not immediately clear why the teen did not appear in court.

One of the victims was walking a bicycle when struck, the court document said. The toddler was with his mother.

The annual three-day festival draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers to Seattle Center, a sprawling park and event space in the shadow of the Space Needle.

Many attendees rushed into campus buildings or ran from the park at the sound of the sH๏τs.