Shon Barnes resigns as Seattle police chief following criticism over Bite of Seattle shooting response
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Barnes said serving as police chief was an honor and expressed hope the leadership transition would allow the department to focus on reducing youth gun violence.
Shon Barnes, Seattle’s chief of police, has resigned following mounting criticism over how city officials communicated with the public after last weekend’s deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival, bringing another leadership change to one of the nation’s most closely watched police departments.
Mayor Katie Wilson announced Thursday that Barnes was stepping down and named Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as interim police chief. Sayles, a veteran officer with more than two decades of law enforcement experience, will lead the department as the city prepares for another busy weekend of public events.
The resignation comes just days after gunfire erupted during the annual Bite of Seattle festival near the Space Needle. According to reporting by The Associated Press, three people, including one of the suspected shooters, were killed and four others were injured. Among the wounded was a 2-year-old child.
While city leaders have credited officers on the scene with responding quickly and preventing additional casualties, the aftermath drew widespread criticism over the lack of timely public updates. The Associated Press reported that nearly five hours passed between Seattle police’s initial social media post about the shooting and the next official public briefing, leaving many residents uncertain about whether there was still an active threat. The city also did not issue an emergency alert during that period.
In a video statement, Wilson acknowledged those communication failures, saying she would have pushed for an immediate public briefing had she realized how little information was reaching residents and the media.
Barnes, who was attending a law enforcement conference outside Seattle when the shooting occurred, said in a statement released by the mayor’s office that serving as police chief had been an honor. He added that he hopes the transition allows the department to focus on addressing youth gun violence and preventing future tragedies.
As detailed by The Associated Press, Barnes’ departure prompted a show of support from several Black community organizations, including the Seattle NAACP and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. In a joint letter, the groups argued that Barnes should not become a scapegoat for broader public safety challenges, pointing to his efforts to strengthen community relationships and improve department operations.
Barnes, the second Black police chief in Seattle’s history, was appointed in late 2024 after previously serving as police chief in Madison, Wisconsin. The Associated Press noted that his resignation comes as Seattle heads into Seafair weekend, one of the city’s largest annual public celebrations, placing renewed attention on leadership and public safety during major events.