Seattle Police Recover Machine Gun, Ghost Gun After Food Festival Shooting

Seattle police recovered a modified machine gun and an untraceable "ghost gun" from the scene of a mass shooting that occurred at a food festival on Sunday, July 27, 2026. The incident resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including one of the suspects, and left at least five others wounded. Among the injured was a two-year-old boy. Police Chief Shon Barnes announced these details during a televised news conference on Tuesday, July 29, 2026.

According to Chief Barnes, the shooting involved at least three suspects. One of these individuals, identified as 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, died at the scene. A second suspect, a 15-year-old, was disarmed and taken into custody at the festival grounds. Authorities confirmed that at least one additional suspect remains at large. The recovery of the machine gun and ghost gun highlights concerns regarding the types of firearms being used in violent crimes. A ghost gun is a firearm that is manufactured from parts that are not serialized, making it difficult or impossible to trace its ownership. Modified machine guns are also a significant concern for law enforcement due to their capacity for rapid firing.

The food festival shooting has brought renewed attention to gun violence in Seattle and the challenges law enforcement faces in combating the proliferation of untraceable firearms. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with police actively searching for the remaining suspect. The motive behind the shooting has not yet been publicly disclosed by authorities. The community has expressed shock and grief over the tragic events, particularly the involvement of a young child among the wounded. The Seattle Police Department has not released further details regarding the identities of the other victims or the condition of those who were injured. The recovery of the specific weapons indicates a level of premeditation and access to illegal firearms by the perpetrators. The department continues to appeal to the public for any information that may assist in apprehending the outstanding suspect and bringing closure to the affected families and the wider community. The presence of a modified machine gun suggests a potential intent for mass casualties, while the ghost gun points to an effort to evade detection and accountability.