Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson fired Police Chief Shon Barnes on July 29, 2026, following intense public scrutiny over his travel habits and the department's response to a deadly mass shooting.
The 51-year-old chief was given the option to resign but refused, sources said.
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His removal comes just 12 months after officially taking office, though he had led the department since January 2025.
Shooting and Travel Scrutiny
Public criticism intensified after a gang-related shooting during the Bite of Seattle festival at Seattle Center left three dead and at least four injured.
Department records showed Barnes was attending a conference in Dallas at the time.
The department faced backlash for taking five hours to hold an initial media briefing.
Officials blamed state dignitaries for the delay, while Mayor Wilson said it was due to verifying rumors.
Department schedule logs revealed Barnes made seven planned national trips and four personal trips to Chicago since late March.
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During a Monday press conference, Barnes had a heated exchange with a reporter about his travel.
He said, "I don't have to tell you where I go," before being escorted away by an aide.
When pressed, Barnes stated, "I have been working as hard as I can for this city from the day I got here."
He called reports of frequent absences "grossly misstated."
Barnes was previously police chief in Madison, Wisconsin, and was appointed in Seattle by former Mayor Bruce Harrell.
He is the fourth chief to lead the department since January 2018.
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Patrick Michaud, a police department public information officer, declined to confirm details Wednesday evening, directing inquiries to the mayor's office.
