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Seattle police chief resigns over response to festival shooting
Chicago Tribune • • general
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 four were wounded.
- 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 after the shooting, including a nearly five-hour gap before providing detailed updates and a failure to use the emergency alert system.
- Barnes received support from several Black community organizations and some City Council members, who praised his efforts to improve police-community relations and cautioned against making him a scapegoat.
- Barnes had been appointed by the previous mayor in 2024 and retained by Wilson, signaling continuity in public safety policy amid ongoing challenges, as Seattle prepares for another major festival weekend.
