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Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson reportedly dismissed Police Chief Shon Barnes following criticism over his frequent absences and a delayed response to a mass shooting.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson reportedly dismissed Police Chief Shon Barnes from his position as head of the Seattle Police Department. The decision followed a week of intense scrutiny regarding Barnes' frequent travel outside the city and the department's delayed public response to a mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival. During the shooting, Barnes was in Dallas attending a conference, which led to criticism from residents and local officials. The delay in communication was further highlighted by a tense exchange between Barnes and a reporter, where he defended his commitment to the city despite being out of town. While the mayor's office has not yet officially confirmed the dismissal, several sources confirm that Barnes was given the option to resign or be fired. A coalition of Black community organizations is currently rallying at Seattle City Hall to protest the removal of Barnes, who was appointed just over a year ago to lead the department.

Sources