UPDATE: Seattle rang in 2026 with chaos as a massive brawl erupted in KOMO Plaza, coinciding with thick fog obscuring the city’s iconic Space Needle fireworks display. This incident unfolded shortly after midnight on January 1, 2026, and involved over 15 people engaged in a violent confrontation.
Video footage circulating online captured the moment when two men clashed at the center of the plaza. The scuffle intensified as a third man joined in, leading to a chaotic melee where multiple individuals attempted to overpower the man in a red shirt. The fight quickly spiraled into a full-blown brawl, with participants tussling on the ground as onlookers watched in shock.
The brawl came as spectators expressed disappointment over the fog obstructing a much-anticipated 18-minute drone performance that was meant to illuminate the Seattle skyline. One attendee shared, “It’s a pretty nice show, except that with this fog, we’re not going to be able to see much.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any arrests were made during the altercation, which highlights ongoing concerns about rising crime in Seattle. According to data from Neighborhood Scout, residents face a distressing 1 in 129 chance of being victims of violent crime, with the city’s robbery rate exceeding the national average.
Recent months have seen a surge in violent incidents, including a shocking attack on an elderly woman in October where a robber bit off her finger during a theft. Such incidents have drawn attention to the city’s escalating crime rates as well as its challenges with homelessness, which has increased by 88 percent in the last decade.
Seattle’s newly-elected mayor, Katie Wilson, has publicly called for a reevaluation of the city’s approach to public safety, suggesting a need for more medical professionals and social workers rather than solely increasing police presence. “Right now, police response times are unacceptable, and I do think that in the short term, we need to hire more officers,” she stated in March.
As Seattle grapples with these pressing issues, the violent start to 2026 raises questions about the city’s future and safety. Residents and officials alike will be watching closely as the city implements new strategies to address these growing concerns.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops and more information becomes available.
