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‘It’s just sickening’: 5 injured at Cinco de Mayo festival in Washington state

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. — Five people were wounded when gunfire erupted at a Cinco de Mayo festival in southern Washington state on Friday, authorities said.

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According to a news release from the Sunnyside Police Department, a single shooter fired multiple shots at a rival gang member within the crowd inside the carnival section of the City of Sunnyside Cinco de Mayo festival, the Sunnyside Sun reported.

One adult and four juveniles -- the youngest was 7 years old -- were shot, KIMA-TV reported. Police said the adult, identified as Travis Allen, 35, of Vancouver, Washington, was shot in the leg, the Sun reported.

One juvenile male was shot in the face and underwent surgery, KIMA reported. The wounds of the other juveniles are not thought to be life-threatening, according to the television station.

The event was canceled, the Sun reported.

Benancio Garcia III said he was checking on his campaign booth at the festival when shots rang out.

“I ran toward the direction where the shots were coming from and that’s where the carnival was at,” Garcia told KAPP-TV. “I saw an officer rendering aid to someone who was bleeding quite a bit.

“It’s just sickening to see this in our community. If you go to your local grocery store, if you go to an event or a theater, you expect to come home safely. You don’t expect these things to happen.”