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Seattle Police Leadership Crisis· Day 1

Seattle Chief Resigns

Barnes steps down after backlash over police response to a deadly festival shooting.

July 30, 2026 · Updated Jul 30, 9:00pm ET

Boston GlobeSeattle mayor says police chief resigned after criticism of response to festival shooting
ABC NewsSeattle police chief resigns in wake of deadly food festival shooting: Mayor
The Post MillennialBREAKING: Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigns after Bite of Seattle shooting
Seattle TimesAndre Sayles named Seattle’s new interim police chief
Associated PressSeattle police chief resigns under pressure from mayor over response to festival shooting
The Daily WireSeattle Police Chief Out As City Officials Face Backlash Over Mass Shooting Response
PBS NewsHourSeattle mayor says police chief has resigned after criticism of festival shooting response
NBC NewsSeattle police chief resigns days after food festival shooting
Hot AirSeattle Police Chief Who Was Out of Town a Lot Now Likely Out of a Job, Too
CNNSeattle police chief resigns under pressure from mayor over response to festival shooting
The GuardianSeattle police chief resigns after deadly food festival shooting

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Center · 4

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Pano rates the coverage Balanced.

What happened

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned Thursday, and Mayor Katie Wilson accepted his resignation amid criticism of the department’s handling of a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival. Deputy Chief Andre Sayles was named interim police chief. The shooting happened Sunday night at Seattle Center during the festival and left three people dead, including two bystanders, and four others injured. The scrutiny centered on delays in releasing key information after the shooting and Barnes’ absence from an initial briefing.

Seattle Police Leadership Crisis

Part of the storyline · Storyline →

Jul 31Wilson Defends OusterBalanced
Jul 30Seattle Chief Resigns (this story)Balanced

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