Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned less than a week after a deadly shooting at one of the US city’s largest summer festivals, as questions mounted over the authorities’ handling of its aftermath. Mayor Katie Wilson announced Barnes’s resignation on Thursday and named Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as interim chief.

The resignation follows a shootout on Sunday at the annual Bite of Seattle food festival that killed three people and injured four, including a two-year-old boy. Dozens of police officers were already providing security at the event. Court documents indicate at least one officer witnessed a 15-year-old suspect firing into the crowd and quickly persuaded him to surrender. Authorities are still searching for at least one other suspect.

Chief Barnes was attending a law enforcement conference outside the city when the shooting occurred. While Mayor Wilson praised the officers’ on-scene response, stating it likely saved lives, she criticized the city’s communication with the public in the hours following the incident. Police provided an initial social media post shortly after the shooting began but then delayed further public updates for nearly five hours, leaving residents uncertain about potential ongoing threats.

Adding to the communication issues, the city did not utilize its emergency notification system. Mayor Wilson herself initially misstated that two suspects were in custody, a detail she later retracted. Wilson explained in a video statement that she had not fully understood the extent of the limited information shared publicly and with the press, which influenced her decision to wait for a formal press conference before pushing for an immediate briefing.

In a statement released through the mayor’s office, Barnes described his tenure as Seattle’s police chief as “an honor.” He expressed hope that the transition would enable the department to re-center its focus on addressing youth gun violence and preventing future tragedies. The resignation came after hours of speculation regarding Barnes's position, with some supporters indicating he had resisted pressure from Mayor Wilson to step down.

Earlier on the day of the announcement, Barnes had indicated to The Seattle Times that his continuation as chief was contingent on the mayor's decision. The resignation also occurred amidst appeals from several Black community organizations, including the Seattle NAACP and the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, urging Mayor Wilson not to accept Barnes's resignation.

Deputy Chief Andre Sayles, who has over two decades of law enforcement experience, will serve as interim chief. The mayor's office has not yet announced a timeline for selecting a permanent replacement for the position.

The shooting at the popular food festival has intensified discussions around public safety and police response protocols in Seattle, particularly concerning communication during critical incidents and the handling of youth-related gun violence.