Indecision and delays: Texts reveal how Mayor's Office communicated following Seattle Center shooting

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s office has released dozens of texts and direct messages from the evening of July 26, when a shooting at Seattle Center cascaded into a series of events that ended in then-Police Chief Shon Barnes’ resignation days later. Many of the texts, which were released Friday afternoon, appear to show Wilson’s team discussing whether it was safe to get the mayor to the scene so she could address the public alongside police. Hours ticked by, and the team continued to debate. In the weeks since, city officials have faced backlash for not providing much information until a press conference roughly five hours after the shooting. Wilson earlier this week said she had fixed communications issues and set expectations between her office and the Seattle Police Department.

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Scoop News DeskSeattle, Washington · Published Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 12:27 AM UTCUpdated Sunday, September 6, 2026 at 5:24 AM UTC

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The Mayor’s Office publicly shared the texts and Teams messages, as well as drafts of statements and emails, on Friday afternoon. “Awful,” Wilson texted to a group chat of her top leadership at 6:31 p.m. after hearing early reports. “I am available tonight as needed.” Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt went to Seattle Center around 7:30 that night and said the mayor should begin making her way there. Alison Holcomb, the mayor’s director of public safety, said Wilson should take the lead in speaking to the public. “Actual information will come as soon as we can verify it,” Holcomb said at 8:42 p.m. “It’s a criminal investigation, so we need to help people be patient and let the work that needs to happen happen.” The mayor’s communications staff posted a public statement online at 8:46, stating police had two suspects in custody.

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