A mass shooting near the Space Needle landmark in Seattle killed two people on Sunday and wounded at least five others, including a child, according to US media and a local hospital.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said one suspect was taken into custody following the incident in a popular tourist district in the northwestern US city.

Two people died at the scene, said Grace Nuñez, spokesperson for the Seattle Fire Department.

Five patients were transported to Harborview Medical Centre, including a 56-year-old woman in serious condition, Nuñez said.

A two-year-old boy, a 23-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman are in stable condition, while a 40-year-old woman had minor injuries, she said.

Hospital spokesperson Susan Gregg said the victims suffered injuries to the arm, abdomen or legs.

A large number of police and emergency crews responded and began evacuating the area around the sprawling Seattle Centre events campus.

Authorities have not said where exactly the shooting occurred at the event, which had outdoor and indoor areas.

Wilson said in a statement that she wanted to "thank the Seattle police officers who responded to the scene and took a suspect into custody."

The shooting took place during the "Bite of Seattle" summer festival celebrating local businesses and food vendors.

The annual festival started in 1982 and draws 350,000 attendees over “three days of food, drink, and community celebration,” according to its website. (Agencies)




Edited by Tony Sabine