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Mayor Katie Wilson Fired Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes Following Criticism Over Travel Schedule and Mass Shooting Response

Mayor Katie Wilson fired Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes after he faced scrutiny for being out of town during a deadly mass shooting at the Seattle Center. Shon Barnes was in Dallas attending a conference when the shooting occurred, which left three people dead and several others injured. The absence of Shon Barnes led to criticism regarding the department's communication delays and his frequent travel to Chicago, where his family resides. During a press conference, Shon Barnes became defensive when questioned about his travel frequency, eventually snapping at a reporter for suggesting he was often away from the city. To address the criticism, the Seattle Police Department provided a calendar documenting his movements from March through July, showing approximately 50 days of absence from the office. Despite the travel, Shon Barnes defended his work ethic, stating he has worked as hard as possible for the city since his appointment. The administration of the Seattle Police Department remains focused on the investigation into the shooting, which allegedly involved a conflict between small groups of shooters.

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