Wilson Defends Ouster
Seattle's mayor faces scrutiny after ousting the police chief following a festival shootout.
July 31, 2026 · Updated Jul 31, 5:37pm ET
Seattle TimesSeattle Mayor Wilson's decisions around Chief Barnes need scrutiny immediately | Editorial
ABC NewsSeattle mayor defends ousting police chief after festival shootout
FOX NewsSeattle Mayor Katie Wilson names Andre Sayles as interim police chief after Barnes resignation
Hot AirSeattle's DSA Mayor Fires the Police Chief
PJ MediaWest Coast, Messed Coast™—Seattle: Commie Mayors and Outta Town Police Chiefs Are Deadly
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What happened
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson
Katie WilsonMayor of Seattle since 2026 named Deputy Chief Andre Sayles interim police chief on Friday after accepting Chief Shon BarnesShon BarnesAmerican police chief’ resignation following a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle
Bite of Seattleannual food festival in Seattle, Washington, U.S. food festival on July 26. Wilson defended the ouster as “the right decision at the right time” but declined to explain why Barnes was removed. She said she does not take lightly decisions affecting public safety and people’s lives. The police department’s resignation statement also did not state why Barnes resigned.
Seattle Police Leadership Crisis
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Jul 31Wilson Defends Ouster (this story)Balanced
- Jul 30Seattle Chief ResignsBalanced