Seattle Festival Shooting Investigation Focuses on Ghost Gun
Seattle police say a 15-year-old arrested in connection with a deadly weekend shooting near the city’s Space Needle was carrying a privately made firearm commonly known as a ghost gun. The violence at a food festival left three people dead and at least four others injured, including a toddler.
Police Chief Shon Barnes said at a Tuesday news conference that the teenager had a 9-millimetre Polymer80 handgun equipped with an extended magazine. Polymer80, once a prominent producer of ghost gun components, is no longer operating. Authorities also recovered two additional firearms and 14 spent shell casings. According to Barnes, the casings came from weapons of two different calibres.
Investigators believe at least three suspects took part in the exchange of gunfire. Police said one of those suspected participants was among the people killed. The available information did not identify the victims, explain what prompted the confrontation or specify the conditions of the teenager’s arrest.
Ghost guns are privately assembled firearms that do not carry standard serial numbers, making them more difficult for authorities to trace. They may also be obtained without the background checks normally associated with purchases from licensed firearm dealers. Law enforcement agencies across the United States have reported increasing use of such weapons in violent crimes.
The case combines two continuing public safety concerns: gun violence at crowded community events and the circulation of untraceable firearms. However, the investigation remains active, and police have not yet provided a complete account of the sequence of events or the roles of everyone involved.
Authorities are continuing to examine the recovered weapons, ballistic evidence and other material from the scene. Further findings may clarify how many people fired shots, which weapons were used and whether additional arrests or charges will subsequently follow.