Seattle police chief resigns after festival shooting, mayor says

Key Points:

• Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned following criticism over the slow release of information after a fatal shootout at the Bite of Seattle food festival, where three people died and several were injured.
• Mayor Katie Wilson appointed Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as interim chief, emphasizing the need to refocus on addressing youth gun violence and preventing further tragedies.
• The city faced backlash for delayed communication, including a nearly five-hour gap before providing public updates and failure to use the emergency alert system during the incident.
• Barnes received support from several Black community organizations and some City Council members, who highlighted his efforts to improve community relations and reduce gun violence.
• Barnes had been appointed in December 2024 and faced some criticism for frequent trips to Chicago; his resignation comes ahead of another major Seattle festival, Seafair Weekend 2026.