Seattle police chief resigns in wake of deadly food festival shooting: Mayor
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned, the city's mayor announced on Thursday, days after a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's office said she has accepted Barnes' letter of resignation.
"Chief Barnes has served this department and this city with dedication, and I am grateful for his service," Wilson said in a statement. "The courage and professionalism that the officers of the Seattle Police Department showed deserves to be honored."
"I share Chief Barnes' hope that we can return our focus to addressing youth gun violence and ensuring that every family can feel safe in their neighborhood and across the city," she continued.
Barnes, who was appointed the chief in late 2024, said in a separate statement released through his attorney that Wilson requested his resignation during a meeting on Wednesday, which culminated in him deciding to voluntarily step down.
Barnes was "surprised" by the mayor's request but "believes this is the best path forward for the city, which is still reeling from the shock and pain caused by the tragic events at the Seattle Center," the statement said.
"The city’s focus should rightfully be on the investigation of the tragic events at the Seattle Center, justice for the victims, and healing the city from a senseless act of gun violence," Barnes said in a statement. "I want to emphasize that it has been one of the greatest honors to lead the Seattle Police Department and to serve the citizens of the City of Seattle."
Wilson will be appointing Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as interim chief of the Seattle Police Department.
"My vision for public safety in this city is grounded in transparency, trust, and genuine collaboration with the community," Wilson said. "Keeping people safe requires trust, and trust requires that this department shows up in neighborhoods every day, builds relationships with residents, community organizations, and small businesses, and is accountable to the people it serves."
The resignation comes days after two people were killed and four others were shot after Barnes said a "targeted gang-related" gunfight broke out and shots were fired into a crowd at the Bite of Seattle festival near the Space Needle on Sunday. Barnes said all six victims were "not related to the suspects in any way."
A 15-year-old was arrested after the shooting and another 19-year-old man believed to be involved in the shooting has died, according to officials.
Investigators are still working to identify who may have been involved in the deadly shooting, with officials saying it is possible they may still be searching for more than one suspect involved.
City officials have faced scrutiny over the release of information in the wake of the shooting, including the status of a second suspect.
Barnes said it is "unfortunate" that sometimes early information is not correct and that when that happens, police conduct reviews to get better.
"We understand that people are angry. You should be. Everyone should be angry," Barnes said. "But with that anger, you should also be asking yourself, 'What can I do to prevent this?' We have to start partnering together."
Barnes, who out of town for a work-related conference when the shooting occurred, has also recently been questioned about alleged frequent travels and how often he travels to Chicago, where his wife and kids live, at a press conference on Tuesday.
"Certainly, I don't travel as often as I would like to. I think any reports that I'm gone every weekend are grossly misstated. I don't have that kind of money," Barnes said.
"I'm here in Seattle. I love the neighborhood that I live in. I love my community," Barnes said.
Following the announcement of Barnes' resignation, several Seattle council members expressed their concern and "disappointment" at his departure.
"After the Seattle Center shooting, our focus should be on the lives lost and how we can address gun violence in our city. Tackling these crises and creating a safer Seattle requires strong, stable leadership," Council President Joy Hollingsworth and council members Dan Strauss, Debora Juarez and Bob Kettle said in a joint statement. "When communities are grieving, major decisions should be made with great deliberation; making a significant leadership change in this moment puts our city in a precarious situation. Having cycled through four police chiefs in just two and a half years, our priority must be stability, not further disruption."
