Seattle Mayor Targets Police Chief Amid Political Pressure Over Festival Shooting Response
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Mayor Katie Wilson, a self-identified democratic socialist, pressured Police Chief Shon Barnes to step down after his absence during the Bite of Seattle shooting, bowing to activist outrage and media attacks despite the chief’s professional obligations.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, who openly identifies as a democratic socialist, demanded the resignation of Police Chief Shon Barnes on Wednesday night, caving to criticism over his absence from the city and the department’s delayed public briefing after the Bite of Seattle mass shooting. Sources indicate that Barnes, who had attended a vigil for the victims, was confronted by the mayor—who has made a name for herself by siding with activist groups and undermining law enforcement—about his conduct.
Chief Barnes was in Dallas for a law-enforcement conference when the shooting occurred, fulfilling his professional duties and seeking to improve policing methods. Despite this, he was forced to cancel interviews and later texted staff about his possible dismissal, as political pressure mounted. Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis was left to lead the department’s first public briefing several hours after the incident, a delay that activists and left-leaning officials quickly seized upon to criticize the department.
At a recent news conference, Barnes defended his necessary travel, stating, "I wish that I had a crystal ball, and we could schedule gun violence, but we can’t." Yet, the mayor’s office and the Seattle Police Department have not confirmed whether Barnes has officially resigned or been terminated, nor have they named a successor, leaving the department in limbo.
This latest attack on police leadership comes as groups like the Seattle NAACP and the Urban League—often aligned with anti-police rhetoric—plan a protest at City Hall. Barnes, who was appointed just a year ago and previously led departments in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as holding positions in Chicago, Greensboro, and Salisbury, North Carolina, is now the latest casualty of Seattle’s increasingly politicized approach to public safety. His potential departure only adds to the challenges facing a department already stretched thin as detectives continue to investigate the shooting that left seven injured and three dead.