Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes Resigns After Fatal Bite of Seattle Festival Shooting

A mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival near the Space Needle on July 27, 2026 left three people dead and four injured. Police initially released inaccurate details and delayed a public briefing for five hours, prompting criticism of the department’s communication.

Mayor Katie Wilson announced that Police Chief Shon Barnes would resign, calling the move “the right decision at the right time.” Barnes, Seattle’s second Black police chief, had been praised for recruitment and crime‑reduction efforts but faced pressure over the handling of the incident. The mayor named Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as interim chief and said the department would increase staffing at public events for the rest of the summer. A 15‑year‑old arrested at the scene was charged with assault, though the weapon he fired was not used in the killings.

City Council members and community groups expressed concern over the abrupt leadership change, while the police department defended its response, emphasizing public safety and the evolving nature of an active homicide investigation.