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Seattle pays tribute to festival shooting victims

Seattle pays tribute to festival shooting victims

Much of the city of Seattle was in mourning Monday as residents paid tribute to the three lives lost during a deadly street shooting that had broken out the day before. The city’s mayor and police chief were among dozens gathered at a local fountain for a candlelight vigil, while online fundraisers for two of

Much of the city of Seattle was in mourning Monday as residents paid tribute to the three lives lost during a deadly street shooting that had broken out the day before.

The city’s mayor and police chief were among dozens gathered at a local fountain for a candlelight vigil, while online fundraisers for two of the victims received tens of thousands of dollars in donations.

The three people who died Sunday at the annual Bite of Seattle food festival were Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, Carlos Israel Sánchez Villalba, 44, and Ashley Whitehead, 56.

A GoFundMe for Villalba described him as “a devoted husband, a loving father of three children, and a loyal friend who would do anything for anyone.”

“His kindness and generosity touched countless lives, and all who knew him remember his kind spirit and willingness to help others,” the article said.

“His sudden passing has left his family heartbroken and facing an uncertain future.”

The family has said the funds will go toward funeral expenses and will help fill the void in his absence. He leaves a wife and three children.

Ashley Whitehead’s relatives said she was standing in line with her daughter, waiting for cotton candy, when shots were heard that ended her life.

He died in the hospital during surgery after exchanging “heartfelt ‘I love you’ words with his eldest daughter,” his family said on the GoFundMe page launched after his death.

Whitehead was described as “a lover of life, art and family.”

“Family was everything to Ashley; she had recently moved to the West Coast from Alabama to be closer to Zoie,” the article said, referring to her oldest daughter.

At Monday night’s vigil, people laid flowers and lit candles as they gathered in mourning. There was a call for a moment of silence.

“This is not acceptable,” said Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, condemning gun violence in the community. “No parent, no parent should have to bury their child.”

Police suspect that the third deceased victim, Junior Cee Niko Semo, was involved in the shooting. Another suspect is detained. A third suspect remains at large.

Shots fired Sunday at the annual food festival near Seattle’s Space Needle left three dead and four wounded during an alleged “shootout,” police said.

Sunday was the last day of the annual three-day free food festival, which attracts about 350,000 people each year.

Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson said in a social media post Monday that the community was shocked and “struggling to understand how an iconic community celebration could end in gunfire.”

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