Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned on Thursday, following a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival that occurred last weekend near the Space Needle. Mayor Katie Wilson announced the resignation, which came after a meeting on Wednesday where she requested Barnes step down.
The shooting resulted in three fatalities, including one suspect, according to some reports; others initially reported two deaths but later included a suspect.
Four people were injured in the shooting. A 15-year-old was arrested in connection with the incident, and police are still searching for at least one other suspect. A 19-year-old male suspect involved in the shooting has died, according to reports. A 2-year-old boy was among the injured.
Barnes described the shooting as a "targeted gang-related" gunfight and stated that all six victims were not related to the suspects. The incident occurred while Barnes was out of town at a law enforcement conference.
Barnes had faced criticism for spending time in Chicago, where his family lives. He made four trips to Chicago this year, totaling about 18 days. Several Black community organizations, including the Seattle NAACP and Urban League, rallied to save Barnes' job, but the mayor proceeded with the request. Barnes said he was "surprised" by the mayor's request. Mayor Wilson is a democratic socialist who once supported defunding police.
This is the wrong decision at the wrong time.
Barnes was appointed as Seattle police chief in late 2024, five days after a school shooting in Wisconsin that killed a teacher and student. He previously served as police chief in Madison, Wisconsin. Barnes is the second Black police chief in Seattle. Deputy Chief Andre Sayles was appointed interim chief.
Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis provided an update around 11 pm Sunday. Gov. Bob Ferguson and U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal attended the Sunday news conference.