Bite of Seattle website.<\/a><\/p>\nThe statement reads:<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are devastated by the tragic incident that took place Sunday evening, during which an act of violence took the lives of members of the Seattle community. Together we mourn the victims and extend our deepest condolences to their families and all those affected.<\/p>\n
Bite of Seattle has always been a gathering place rooted in food and connection. Today, we stand in solidarity with everyone grieving this tragedy. Our hearts remain with everyone impacted.<\/p>\n
Our focus is on supporting those affected and working closely with authorities during this difficult time. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement as they continue their investigation.”<\/p>\n
Despite the statement, some vendors that reached out to KIRO 7 both Monday and Tuesday reported receiving little to no communication directly from the event organizers. <\/p>\n
KIRO 7\u2019s Ranji Sinha has been attempting to reach FoodieLand for the past two days, but has not received an official response, statement, interview or press release outside of what was posted publicly on Instagram.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not supposed to be like this. It\u2019s where children come, where grandparents come; it\u2019s where I raised my daughter,\u201d said Randy Engstrom, the executive director of Seattle Center during a vigil on Monday. <\/p>\n
Public reaction to Foodieland\u2019s Instagram post varied. <\/p>\n
One commenter said: \u201cThis response honestly feels really disappointing. It reads more like a standard PR statement than a message to a community that\u2019s grieving.\u201d <\/p>\n
Another said: \u201cDo better next year. This should never (have) happened. Make checkpoints, increase security\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n
Some social media users also voiced concerns about security at the event. One comment read, \u201c\u2026they had no security walking around or anything. They definitely need to spend some money on security.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bear Balentine, a Federal Way resident who visited a memorial at Seattle Center on Tuesday morning, emphasized the need for safety when attending a broad community event at one of Seattle\u2019s premier and most famous event spaces in Seattle Center. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s food! What\u2019s more safe than food, right!?\u201d Balentine said. \u201cThe only way we can move forward as a community is to find ways to prevent this from ever happening again. For us to stand up and say this isn\u2019t ok. It\u2019s not ok for us to be in fear when we\u2019re in a fun public space.\u201d <\/p>\n
While most vendors reported a lack of communication, one vendor stated they received a text message pointing them to mental health services if needed. <\/p>\n
West Seattle attorney Eric Harrison discussed potential legal implications for vendors regarding the event. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have the written contract that they signed with the event organizer; absolutely, there could be a legal avenue against the food organizer,\u201d Harrison said. <\/p>\n
He indicated that while legal action is technically possible, he downplayed whether that would truly be the result for many vendors. He stressed that contracts were signed and that any true legal action or claims would depend on the specific contract details, including provisions for security and communication. <\/p>\n
Harrison noted that some contracts specify timelines for response while others do not.<\/p>\n
\u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n