Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned Thursday amid criticism of the city's handling of a fatal shootout at a recent food festival, Mayor Katie Wilson announced. Deputy Chief Andre Sayles, a law enforcement veteran with over two decades of experience, will be appointed as interim chief.
Barnes, who was out of town at a law enforcement conference when the gunfire erupted last weekend at the Bite of Seattle, said the decision on his tenure was up to the mayor. In a statement, he expressed gratitude for his time serving the city and stated, "I hope this transition gives the city and this department the opportunity to return full focus to what matters most, addressing youth gun violence and preventing more tragedies."
The shooting at the annual festival, which draws hundreds of vendors and performers, resulted in three deaths, including one suspect, and four injuries. One of the injured was a 2-year-old boy. According to court documents, officers were present, and one observed a 15-year-old suspect firing into the crowd and quickly convinced him to surrender. Authorities are still seeking at least one other individual involved.
Both the Seattle Police Department and Mayor Wilson faced scrutiny for communication delays and confusion in the shooting's aftermath. After an initial social media post acknowledging the shooting, it took nearly five hours for police to release further details to the public, including information on any ongoing threats. Mayor Wilson initially announced two arrests, a statement she later retracted.
Community Support and Criticism
Barnes, the second Black police chief in Seattle, received support from several Black community organizations, including the Seattle NAACP and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. In an open letter to the mayor's office, these groups credited Barnes with improving community relations, helping to reduce gun violence, and strengthening departmental operations. They argued that Barnes should not be made a scapegoat for complex public safety challenges and called his potential departure "the wrong decision at the wrong time."
Civil rights lawyer James Bible, who met with Wilson early Thursday along with other Black leaders, expressed hope that the mayor would reconsider her decision. Barnes was appointed in December 2024 by Seattle's previous mayor, Bruce Harrell, after serving as chief of the Madison, Wisconsin, police department. Mayor Wilson, who had previously supported calls to defund the police, retained Barnes upon taking office, signaling a moderate approach to public safety.
Jon Scholes, president of the Downtown Seattle Association, emphasized the need for continuity in public safety efforts, stating, "Seattle had been on a positive course on public safety with police hiring trending up and crime trending down, particularly in the downtown core. It’s imperative the next chief of police is able to maintain progress that’s been made and instill confidence in our community."
Barnes had previously faced some criticism for traveling to Chicago, where his family resides. A department spokesperson confirmed four trips to Chicago this year, totaling approximately 18 days, in addition to travel for police executive and recruitment conferences. Barnes was appointed Seattle's chief of police five days after gaining national attention for his leadership during an investigation into a shooting at a religious school in Wisconsin.
The resignation occurs as Seattle prepares for another major event, the Seafair Weekend Festival, scheduled to begin Friday.