Seattle mayor cites leadership concerns in police chief's resignation

Seattle officials disclosed new details that may have influenced Mayor Katie Wilson's request for former police chief Shon Barnes to step down. Federal records show the Internal Revenue Service placed an $86,841 tax lien on Barnes and his wife in February 2025, a month after Barnes was appointed interim chief. Wilson did not cite the lien as a reason for the resignation.

At a press conference, Wilson said the decision resulted from "multiple factors, some of which were related to the events of Sunday, but that certainly was not the only thing." She also noted Barnes was out of state during the July 26 gang-related shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival, in which three people were killed and four injured, and that he had been away from Seattle for roughly 45 days between April and July.

The mayor and Barnes reportedly disagreed over plans to install closed-circuit security cameras ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Security experts have warned that significant unpaid tax obligations can create vulnerabilities for officials in sensitive positions, though no allegations of misconduct have been made against Barnes.

Political analyst Matt Markovich said the accumulating issues could have eroded the mayor's confidence in the chief, while former mayor Mike McGinn emphasized the importance of trust and clear communication between a mayor and police chief during crises. McGinn also suggested that Wilson should be afforded some leeway given the shooting was the first major emergency of her administration.

Barnes issued a statement expressing gratitude to department staff and the community. Under the terms of his resignation agreement, he is slated to receive about $700,000. Assistant Chief Andre Sayles was named interim police chief, with sources describing him as well-respected within the department.