Today Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7), chair of the Public Safety Committee, released the following statement regarding his request that Mayor Katie B. Wilson provide the City Council with reason for the forced removal of Police Chief Shon Barnes on July 30. As of Sept. 8, the Mayor’s Office has yet to answer.

“Despite our requested deadline of August 28, nearly a month after the forced resignation of Police Chief Shon Barnes, the Council has not received a response – written or verbal – to my letter to the mayor asking for a written explanation on the reasoning for his removal.

“The applicable section – Article VI, section 2 – of the City Charter on the topic provides clear guidance: ‘The Mayor may remove the Chief of Police upon filing a statement of his or her reasons for so doing with the City Council.’

“It is clear Mayor Wilson removed Shon Barnes as Chief of Police in her actions and in her words, including at the end of an August 31 press conference appointing Andre Sayles as Interim SPD Chief when Mayor Wilson quite clearly stated, ‘I asked him to resign.’ This conduct makes the strong case that this was a forced resignation. So, let’s call it what it is – Mayor Wilson removed the Chief of Police.

“Prior to this incident, I spoke to Chief Barnes about his status at different points in the year though not during or after the negotiated and agreed-to terms of the resignation that led to the separation agreement and his removal as Chief of Police. Separately, I also received a call on Wednesday, July 29 and spoke with the Mayor’s Office on the decision to call for Chief Barnes’ resignation and the then-interim chief selection to replace him.

“Ultimately the removal of the Chief of Police was not a deliberative process but rather a hasty one. The result being favorable terms of the agreement in the end for Shon Barnes, which he agreed to, but this agreement cannot be used to avoid the mayor’s duty and obligations under the City Charter. The agreement cannot be used to sidestep concerns such as legal risk, or to mask her reasons for doing so, and the impacts this will have on the police department and our community safety posture.

“At the end of the day this is about good governance, accountability and transparency. The public needs to know, especially as we embark on a search for a new Chief of Police. This is no trivial matter, and, again, our constituents deserve transparency.

“I call on Mayor Wilson to uphold her oath as executive by supporting the City Charter of the City of Seattle and to file a statement with the City Council on the reasons why she removed the Chief of Police.”

Background

On July 26, 2026, three people were killed and several injured in a mass shooting at the “Bite of Seattle” event at Seattle Center. One suspect was killed in the exchange, one has been arrested, and a third remains at large. During a five-hour gap that night, little or no update was given to the public. On the afternoon of July 30, in the midst of an ongoing investigation, Mayor Wilson announced that Police Chief Shon Barnes had resigned following media leaks the night before. Multiple councilmembers voiced their disappointment and raised questions.

Next steps

The Public Safety Committee held its first briefing on the event and subsequent Barnes separation on Aug. 11. A follow-up session before the committee is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 22. Members of the public can watch a live stream of the meeting on the Seattle Channel. 

# # #