Bite of Seattle shooting suspect had prior gun charge, run-in with police - KOMO

What the report says

KOMO News reports that one of the people Seattle police believe was involved in the shooting at the Bite of Seattle had a prior firearm-related arrest. The shooting happened Sunday at the Seattle festival, killing three people and injuring several bystanders. Junior Niko-Semo, 19, was killed in the incident, and police have said they believe he was also among the shooters.

According to KOMO, juvenile court records show Niko-Semo was arrested in 2024 after a Seattle police officer heard gunfire in Rainier Beach and soon found him nearby with a Glock 19 handgun. He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of a bump-fire stock. KOMO, citing a police report, said the gun had an extended magazine and a device commonly called a “Glock switch,” which can make a handgun fire automatically and is illegal under federal law.

KOMO also reported that investigators recovered a gun connected to the Bite of Seattle shooting that was equipped with a Glock switch. A 15-year-old boy arrested at the scene was allegedly found with a Polymer 80 9mm handgun, a type of unserialized “ghost gun” assembled from parts. KOMO cited William Kirk, president of Washington Gun Law, who said the firearms described could involve multiple violations even before the shooting itself.

The report adds that Niko-Semo had other juvenile charges, but those records are sealed. The case is drawing attention to youth access to illegal handguns, modified firearms and public safety at large events in Seattle.