Texts challenge reason why first public briefing about Seattle Center shooting was delayed

To stream KING 5 on your phone, you need the KING 5 app. Example video title will go here for this video SEATTLE — Newly released communications from Washington state Gov. Bob Ferguson's office and U.S. Pramila Jayapal are raising new questions about why Seattle officials waited roughly five hours to hold their first news conference following Sunday's deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle . The records challenge an explanation given that night by a Seattle police spokesperson, who told reporters the briefing was delayed because officials were waiting for "dignitaries" to arrive.

Missing media or need the complete publisher report? Open KING5.com

Scoop News DeskSeattle, Washington · Published Friday, July 31, 2026 at 1:47 AM UTCUpdated Friday, July 31, 2026 at 7:23 AM UTC

Scoop News reporting summary

The text below was supplied by the Scoop Newsroom app. Third-party reporting is attributed in the source panel.

According to the governor's office, communications with city leaders began shortly after 7 p.m. as the shooting response unfolded. The shooting near the Seattle Center campus left three people dead and eight others injured. One juvenile has been arrested, and investigators continue searching for a second suspected shooter.

Breaking news moves fast. Follow @Will466513 on X for breaking news alerts. Follow on X →

Story timeline