Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes faced sharp criticism this week after a mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival left three dead and four wounded — and it turned out he was hundreds of miles away.
The shooting erupted Sunday evening at Seattle Center when as many as three gunmen opened fire, with innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. Police believe the conflict began between small groups, but details remain under investigation.
Barnes, however, was in Dallas, Texas, attending the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives’ annual conference. His absence quickly became a flashpoint, especially given that his wife and children live in Chicago, and reports have suggested he spends most weekends out of town.
At a news conference, a reporter from PubliCola asked Barnes how often he is actually in Seattle. The chief snapped back: ‘Those reports are wrong, do you understand?’ A staffer stepped in, saying ‘let’s go,’ as Barnes added, ‘I have been here working as hard as I can for this city from the day I got here, you got that?’
Later, when asked about time spent in Chicago, Barnes said, ‘Certainly I don’t travel as often as I would like to.’ He further disputed claims that he is gone every weekend, saying any such reports are ‘grossly misstated’ and that he loves Seattle and his community.
Democratic Socialist Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson confirmed that a teenager is believed to have opened fire, but the investigation continues. Meanwhile, a third suspect has emerged, and one alleged gunman was found dead.
The exchange has drawn widespread attention, with many questioning Barnes’s connection to the city he is paid to protect.