By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-07-28 01:09:36 | Updated at 2026-07-28 02:17:08
1 hour ago
The three people 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.
Whitehead, a beloved mom of two daughters, was struck in the pelvis and later died at the hospital, KOMO News 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.'
The 56-year-old mother 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.
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
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
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.
'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.
Nearly all victims wounded in Sunday night's shooting have been discharged and are recovering.
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.'
Ashley pictured with her daughter Zoie, a GoFundMe was set up to support the heartbroken daughter
In 2018, Whitehead's daughter Zoie lost her partner of seven years, Michael, to heart failure
This is the second fatal tragedy Whitehead's daughter Zoie has endured, according to the GoFundMe
'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.
It was not immediately clear why the teen did not appear in court.
This is a breaking news story.
