SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has asked Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes to resign, sources confirmed to KIRO 7.
We reached out to the Seattle Police Department to ask if this was the case; their response: no comment. The mayor’s office has not responded, as of this writing.
The move comes after a mass shooting at Bite of Seattle at Seattle Center on Sunday, July 26, where three people were killed and at least four others injured.
Attendees and the public have scrutinized the city of Seattle and Seattle police for waiting several hours before addressing the public or providing any updates.
During a press conference the following day, another issue became a source of controversy: a local reporter grilled Barnes about splitting his time between Seattle and Chicago, and his travel and living schedule came into question. Records show Barnes’ family currently lives in Chicago.
Barnes was out of town on Sunday when the mass shooting took place, and was notably absent from the initial press conference held late Sunday night. When questioned, he told reporters he was attending the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers conference in Dallas, Texas.
He was absent again from Monday evening’s press update, but did speak to the media on Tuesday, where he said he lives in Seattle and is happy to be here.
KIRO 7 was set to interview Barnes on Wednesday to talk about his travel schedule, but it was rescheduled. According to other news outlets in the area, Barnes had several interviews scheduled for Wednesday, July 29, but they were all canceled or rescheduled.
KIRO 7’s interview was rescheduled for today, Thursday, July 30, but we have not heard whether Barnes will still be doing that interview.
According to the Seattle Medium, a coalition of Seattle Black community organizations is holding a rally at 8 a.m. this morning at Seattle City Hall in support of Barnes.
The coalition — which includes the NAACP Seattle Branch, Community Passageways, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Seattle Clergy, Parents for Student Success, 100 Black Parents, Creative Black Brilliance Braintrust, the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) — plans to meet with Wilson to express its concerns and urge her not to remove Barnes from his position, if the reports are accurate, according to the Seattle Medium.
The Seattle Medium posted a letter in support of Barnes, saying in part, “Seattle is entering a period with major events and increased demands on public safety. This is the time to strengthen leadership, not create disruption. We need experienced leadership, coordination, and stability as our city prepares for what is ahead.”
Barnes was sworn in on July 9, 2025, as the city’s 38th police chief. He previously served as interim police chief starting in January 2025 following the departure of Adrian Diaz.
After Diaz, the city of Seattle opened the chief candidate pool to a nationwide search.
Sources confirm to KIRO 7 that Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis will be the next appointment, but it’s not clear if that is an interim or permanent position. He has been with SPD since 1999.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details are confirmed.