Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Accepts Resignation of Police Chief Shon Barnes Amidst Ongoing Mass Shooting Investigation
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson accepted the resignation of Police Chief Shon Barnes on Thursday, following a period of scrutiny regarding the city's response to a recent mass shooting. The decision comes as the administration continues to investigate the deadly incident at the Bite of Seattle event, which left three people dead and at least four injured. Council members, including President Joy Hollingsworth, criticized the move as impulsive and reckless, arguing that a leadership change during an active crisis is premature. They expressed concern over the city's communication failures during the shooting and the lack of a clear rationale from the mayor's office. Chief Barnes, who was previously the chief in Madison, Wisconsin, faced criticism for his travel schedule and initial reporting errors. Despite the criticism, the administration announced that Deputy Chief Andre Sayles will serve as interim chief. The transition aims to provide stability as the city addresses ongoing gun violence and seeks to maintain progress in crime reduction.