Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes is fired by Mayor Katie Wilson after reports of communication failures during a mass shooting.
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes was fired by Mayor Katie Wilson after reports of communication failures during a mass shooting at the Seattle Center. The dismissal follows a period of scrutiny regarding Barnes's absence from the city during the tragedy and the department's delayed public messaging. A coalition of at least nine Black community organizations, including the Seattle NAACP, is rallying to protest the decision. Leaders argue that Barnes is being unfairly blamed as a scapegoat for broader city-wide communication issues, noting that the delay in the briefing was due to the mayor's office and state dignitaries. Barnes, who previously served as chief in Madison, Wisconsin, took the position 12 months ago. He had expressed goals to improve community policing and reach full staffing by 2027. Supporters of the chief emphasize his efforts to strengthen law enforcement relationships with diverse communities and argue that removing him just before the Seafair weekend would create unnecessary uncertainty for the department.