Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced a new interim police chief on Friday following the resignation of Police Chief Shon Barnes after a deadly shooting at a food festival over the weekend.
“I do not take lightly what it means to make decisions that affect people’s safety and their lives,” Wilson said in a Friday morning news conference before announcing she had selected Deputy Chief Andre Sayles as interim police chief.
She added, “I chose Andre Sayles because he has done this job before and can hit the ground running. He served as chief of police in Wisconsin, where he led with a community-focused approach that strengthened both public safety and community trust. He has earned the respect of our police force in his time here, and that is exactly what we need right now.”
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Barnes had come under criticism after two people died and four others were shot at the Bite of Seattle food festival at Seattle Center on Sunday.
Barnes described the shooting a “targeted” and “gang-related” but said the victims were “not related to the suspects in any way.”
One arrest has been made, and one person believed to have been involved in the shooting has died.
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Sayles said on Friday that the department is continuing to investigate and looking for any other possible suspects involved in the shooting.
Barnes resigned on Thursday, saying in a statement through his attorney that Wilson had requested his resignation on Wednesday, and he “believes this is the best path forward for the city, which is still reeling from the shock and pain caused by the tragic events at the Seattle Center.”
In an earlier statement, Wilson said: “Chief Barnes has served this department and this city with dedication, and I am grateful for his service. The courage and professionalism that the officers of the Seattle Police Department showed deserves to be honored.”
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She added, “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.”
Sayles acknowledged that this week has been “difficult, but I also know what this department and city are capable of. When we come together with a common goal of keeping our community safe.”
He committed to uniting a department “grounded in service, pride and dedication.”
“The ongoing investigation into the Seattle Center shooting remains a top priority,” he added. “The men and women of the department continue working tirelessly to identify and arrest anyone responsible. In light of the tragic incident, the Seattle Police Department has heard from our community about safety concerns at public gatherings and events.”
Sayles said the department will be increasing staff at all remaining major summer events.
Wilson added that she is also searching for Barnes’ permanent replacement as police chief, saying it “will focus on someone who drives operational excellence and leads organizational change.”
She said the “people of Seattle deserve a voice in this selection,” explaining that a search committee will be formed that is representative of different communities in the city.
“I will be looking for someone who can be an effective leader of our police department, from top to bottom,” she said. “In particular, that means listening to and building relationships with the people standing behind me, the experienced and dedicated people who are leading our officers on the ground in neighborhoods across our city every single day.”
Wilson added that she was also looking for someone who could earn the respect of the police force, “while also leading needed changes to culture and protocol in a way that is firm and fair. I will be looking for someone who can practice clear communication in stressful situations.”
