The three victims gunned down in Sunday’s deadly Seattle food festival shooting have been identified.
Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, were named as the victims who were fatally shot 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 shooting.
Villalba was a beloved father of three, and Whitehead was a devoted mother to two daughters, their GoFundMe fundraisers stated.
Villalba was shot in the torso and died on the scene, while Whitehead was struck in the pelvis and later died at the hospital, ABC10 reported.
‘Ashley was waiting in line for cotton candy, enjoying the festival with her daughter, Zoie, and future son-in-law, Ben, when the violence began,’ a GoFundMe for Whitehead’s family read.
‘She was shot and, despite surviving long enough to exchange heartfelt “I love you’s” with her eldest daughter, passed 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, mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival
Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, was fatally shot 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.
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
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 passing and the trauma of the mass 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 assault 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 shots.
This is a breaking news story.
