SEATTLE — Three firearms, one of which was a potentially homemade ghost gun and another which was modified to become fully automatic, were recovered from the Bite of Seattle shooting scene that left three dead and four injured, according to police.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said at a news conference Tuesday that police believe the shooting was “targeted, gang-related violence,” and that investigators are looking into other suspects.

Festival attendees Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, died in the volleys of gunfire. Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, also died at the scene. Seattle police later confirmed Semo was an “associate” of a boy, 15, whom police chased down, disarmed and arrested. Investigators have not determined their exact relationship.

At least one more suspect remained at large Tuesday. Police Chief Shon Barnes said officers are still trying to determine a description. Barnes left open the possibility there is more than one suspect on the loose.

“There has been information swirling that we’re looking for only one suspect, we’re not saying that,” Barnes said. “It’s possible that there could be more, but due to conflicting witness statements, we’re trying to determine who was involved.”

“I do not believe there is an immediate danger to the public, because this was a targeted incident,” he said.

Barnes said that there is a “potential eighth victim” of the shooting, a 27-year-old man who self-reported to UW Medical Center-Montlake the evening of the shooting. Barnes pleaded for the man to come forward to police.

“Due to legal barriers, we’re unable to acquire the identity of this person,” Barnes said.

The 15-year-old is being held for investigation of three counts of first-degree assault and one count of illegally possessing a firearm. The teen waived his presence in court Monday in Seattle, where Superior Court Judge Tanya Thorp ruled he will remain in secure detention pending an arraignment, expected Thursday.

The Seattle Times does not typically name juvenile suspects unless they are charged as adults. The age of the suspect will likely lead to a long and complicated legal process.

A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office, Casey McNerthney, said the teen had no previous cases that police had sent to the office.

Recovered guns and evidence

Barnes revealed Tuesday that three firearms and 14 shell casings from two different caliber weapons were recovered from the scene of the crime.

The ghost gun, reportedly recovered from the 15-year-old, was a Polymer80 9 mm with an extended magazine that had a 33-round capacity, and when it was recovered, there were 19 rounds in the magazine.

Police also recovered a 9 mm with a standard magazine, which they do not believe was used, and a Glock model 45 9 mm was recovered Monday while food vendors were cleaning up. The Glock had a fully automatic switch and capacity for 40 rounds, with 21 left in the magazine.

Barnes said ballistics results are pending, but investigators believe the Glock and ghost gun were used in the shooting.

Ghost guns are assembled by someone other than a licensed manufacturer and often lack the serial number that normally comes with a licensed firearm. These include “buy-build-shoot kits,” which contain dissembled firearms that someone can assemble at home, and people can make guns with a 3D printer. Investigating crimes involving these guns can create difficulty in tracing a firearm’s origins.

Barnes said police have been “poring over evidence,” including video and witness statements. The Police Department’s tip line has received over 80 calls about the shooting, Barnes said.

There are no city-owned CCTV cameras in the area, but Barnes said investigators are reviewing available security cameras.

The closest CCTV camera to Sunday night’s shooting was south of Seattle Center, at Denny Way and Broad Street. Overall, 62 cameras are operating in the city. Expanding the program to Seattle Center has not been publicly floated in the past.

Questions remain

Questions about the city’s response in alerting the public, and a five-hour delay in holding a news conference about the shooting, continued to swirl on Tuesday.

When questioned about why city officials did not send an alert via the AlertSeattle system, Wilson responded: “That is a valid question, and we’re going to be working closely with SPD and with our Office of Emergency Management moving forward to make sure that we’re using every possible avenue to get information out to the public.”

When asked by a reporter if her office was responsible for the news conference delay, Wilson responded: “That is not my understanding.”

Following a tense interaction with a South Seattle Emerald reporter on Monday, Barnes had a more mild-mannered reaction on Tuesday when asked once more about how often he travels to Chicago, where his wife and children live.

“Any reports that I’m gone every weekend are grossly misstated,” he said.

Wilson took the opportunity to emphasize the impacts of gun violence in Seattle. She said the city will be “bringing in an expert on gun violence reduction” who will work in partnership with the county and law enforcement.

Barnes said the department will be “upstaffing” concerts, festivals and other large gatherings outdoors for the remainder of the summer.

“As the city continues to grieve the loss of Ashley, Israel and Junior, please keep the survivors of violence dear in our hearts,” he said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Police Department at 206-233-5000. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

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