Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes confronted a reporter on Sunday over questions regarding his frequent absences from the city, particularly in the wake of a mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival that left three people dead and four injured.
Barnes was in Dallas, Texas, attending the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives’ annual conference when the shooting occurred on Sunday evening. The incident, believed by police to stem from a conflict between small groups, saw gunfire erupt among as many as three shooters, with bystanders caught in the crossfire.
During an exchange with a reporter, Barnes became defensive when questioned about his travel schedule and claims of spending most weekends out of town. A PubliCola report had previously suggested the chief spends significant time away from Seattle due to his family residing in Chicago.
"Those reports are wrong, do you understand?" Barnes said, as a staffer intervened to guide him away. He added, "I have been here working as hard as I can for this city from the day I got here, you got that?"
When asked about the frequency of his visits to Chicago, Barnes stated, "Certainly I don’t travel as often as I would like to." He further clarified that any suggestions of him being away every weekend are "grossly misstated." He asserted, "I don’t have that kind of money. I’m here in Seattle. I love the neighborhood. I love my community, they love me."
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, identified as a Democratic Socialist, commented on the shooting, stating, "We believe this teenager opened fire in the crowd, but details are still under investigation."
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting at Seattle Center.