Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has dismissed Police Chief Shon Barnes, a decision that has ignited fury among racial justice groups and sparked protests. Barnes, 55, was fired Wednesday evening following criticism of his response to a mass shooting at a local food festival that resulted in three deaths. The incident also drew scrutiny to Wilson's handling of the tragedy.
Protests erupted Thursday, with organizations including the NAACP, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Byrd Barr Place, and Community Passageways rallying at City Hall. Speakers at the rally expressed concerns about representation, leadership stability, and community-oriented policing. Some questioned Wilson's actions, with one speaker asking, "what is her problem with blacks?" Bishop Reggie Witherspoon stated that Barnes's replacement must be another person of color.
Barnes faced criticism for being out of state at a conference in Texas when the shooting occurred, and for alleged prolonged absences from the city to be with his family in Chicago. His department also faced accusations of issuing statements with factual errors in the aftermath of the shooting. Additionally, Barnes was captured berating a reporter who questioned his whereabouts.
In an online poll by KOMO News, 68 percent of respondents held Wilson most accountable for the response, compared to 23 percent for Barnes. Sources indicated that Wilson asked Barnes to resign on Wednesday, but proceeded with dismissal when he refused.
The Downtown Seattle Association, the city's largest business group, also issued a statement expressing disappointment with Wilson's decision. The group praised Barnes for his "collaborative approach to public safety" and his work on pressing city challenges, stating that "Seattle has been moving in the right direction."
Authorities believe the food festival shooting was the result of gang violence, with three deceased individuals identified. One of the deceased, 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, is believed to be one of the shooters. Bystanders Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, and Ashley Whitehead, 56, were also killed, and at least four others were injured. A 15-year-old has been arrested, and investigators are seeking at least one other suspect.
During an initial press conference, Barnes declined to label the shooters as "gangs," referring to them instead as "small groups that appear to be at odds with each other." He later conceded the shooting was likely gang-related, expressing frustration that a small fraction of the population is connected to a disproportionate number of shootings in the city. When pressed by a reporter about his absence, Barnes stated he had a medical procedure and insisted he had been working hard for the city, a claim disputed by other reports. A staff member intervened as the confrontation escalated.