Seattle mayor may oust police chief after criticism of response to festival shooting
Summary
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson asked Police Chief Shon Barnes to resign after criticism of the police response to a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival, but Barnes refused. The shooting killed three people and injured four, including a toddler, and raised concerns about the city's communication and safety efforts.Key Facts
- A shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival under the Space Needle killed three people, including one suspect, and wounded four others.
- Police Chief Shon Barnes was asked to resign by Mayor Katie Wilson but declined the request.
- Barnes was out of town during the shooting and is the second Black police chief in Seattle.
- Dozens of officers were present at the festival, and one quickly convinced a 15-year-old suspect to surrender.
- Police and city officials were criticized for slow and unclear communication after the shooting; detailed updates were delayed nearly five hours.
- Community groups, including the Seattle NAACP and Urban League, support Barnes and wrote an open letter urging the mayor not to fire him.
- The shooting involved a suspect armed with a "ghost gun," an untraceable firearm.
- Mayor Wilson has not confirmed if she will remove Barnes but is considering input from Black community leaders.
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