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Seattle police chief resigns in wake of deadly food festival shooting: Mayor

Two people died and four others were injured in a shooting last weekend. Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned, the city's mayor announced on Thursday, days after a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's office said she has accepted Barnes' letter of resignation. "Chief Barnes has served this department and this city with dedication, and I am grateful for his service," Wilson said in a statement. "The courage and professionalism that the officers of the Seattle Police Department showed deserves to be honored." "I share Chief Barnes' hope that we can return our focus to addressing youth gun violence and ensuring that every family can feel safe in their neighborhood and across the city," she continued. Barnes, who was appointed the chief in late 2024, said in a separate statement released through his attorney that Wilson requested his resignation during a meeting on Wednesday, which culminated in him deciding to voluntarily step down. I love the neighborhood that I live in.

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Scoop News DeskSeattle, Washington · Published Friday, July 31, 2026 at 2:48 AM UTCUpdated Friday, July 31, 2026 at 3:57 AM UTC

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Having cycled through four police chiefs in just two and a half years, our priority must be stability, not further disruption." 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events Seattle police chief resigns in wake of deadly food festival shooting: Mayor - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos. Barnes said all six victims were "not related to the suspects in any way." A 15-year-old was arrested after the shooting and another 19-year-old man believed to be involved in the shooting has died, according to officials.

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Version 2updated
Friday, July 31, 2026 at 3:48 AM UTC
Two people died and four others were injured in a shooting last weekend. Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned, the city's mayor announced on Thursday, days after a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival. Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's office said she has accepted Barnes' letter of resignation. "Chief Barnes has served this department and this city with dedication, and I am grateful for his service," Wilson said in a statement. "The courage and professionalism that the officers of the Seattle Police Department showed deserves to be honored." "I share Chief Barnes' hope that we can return our focus to addressing youth gun violence and ensuring that every family can feel safe in their neighborhood and across the city," she continued. Barnes, who was appointed the chief in late 2024, said in a separate statement released through his attorney that Wilson requested his resignation during a meeting on Wednesday, which culminated in him deciding to voluntarily step down. I love the neighborhood that I live in.
Version 3unpublished
Friday, July 31, 2026 at 3:57 AM UTC
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