Seattle community groups protest mayor's reported dismissal of police chief Shon Barnes

A coalition of Black community leaders, clergy and advocacy groups assembled at Seattle City Hall Thursday to protest Mayor Katie Wilson's reported decision to dismiss Police Chief Shon Barnes, according to Community Passageways. Neither the mayor's office nor the Seattle Police Department has confirmed the chief's departure.

The rally was joined by the Seattle NAACP, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Byrd Barr Place, and other local organizations. Shortly after the demonstration, the Downtown Seattle Association, the city’s largest downtown business group, issued a statement expressing disappointment with the alleged removal and praising Barnes for a "collaborative approach to public safety" and for progress in officer hiring and crime reduction.

The association cited downtown crime data showing a 21% drop in violent incidents in sector M between January-June 2026 compared with the same period in 2025 (104 incidents versus 131). It warned that recent gains should not be lost.

The reported dismissal follows Barnes' cancellation of a scheduled interview with local media about the recent Seattle Center mass shooting and his travel outside the city. Earlier that day, his office released portions of his calendar covering late March through July. Barnes was later seen placing flowers at a vigil for the shooting victims in full uniform, possibly his last public appearance as chief.

Barnes, who took office in July after a prior police-chief scandal, previously led the Madison, Wisconsin police department. He entered the Seattle role with goals to improve hiring, retention, response times and community policing. After the recent shooting, he faced criticism for delayed public information, which he defended as necessary for securing the scene and locating a second suspect, while affirming the public’s right to timely safety information.