Mayor appoints Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as interim chief
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes resigned Thursday amid criticism that the city was slow to release key information about a fatal shootout at a food festival last weekend. Mayor Katie Wilson announced the resignation and appointed Deputy Chief Andre Sayles, a law enforcement veteran with more than two decades of experience, as interim chief.
Barnes told The Seattle Times earlier Thursday that whether he remained as chief was “up to the mayor,” and that he was off for the day. He did not immediately comment further.
In a written statement, Wilson said she was grateful for Barnes’ service. The statement included comments from Barnes describing his tenure as an honor.
The resignation came after mounting criticism of the city’s communication in the wake of the violence at the Bite of Seattle food festival.
The resignation follows a gunfight at the Bite of Seattle food festival on Sunday that left three dead and four injured, and a candlelight vigil Monday where Mayor Wilson condemned gun violence.