Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has been fired, according to reports, amid scrutiny over his handling of a mass shooting that resulted in three deaths last week. Seattle's Mayor Katie Wilson dismissed Barnes on Wednesday evening, sources told Fox13.
The chief had faced criticism for not being in the city when the shooting occurred on Friday night at a food festival. Later, Barnes was filmed confronting a reporter who questioned him about his absence.
Mayor Wilson has not publicly stated the reasons for Barnes' dismissal. Barnes had been leading the Seattle Police Department since January 2025. His scheduled media interviews for Wednesday evening were abruptly canceled. Sources reportedly indicated that Barnes was fired by Wilson during a meeting shortly after he attended a silent vigil for the shooting victims on Wednesday evening.