Seattle Police Chief Resigns Amid Crisis | Seattle News

Seattle News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 31, 2026 · 1m

Seattle’s Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned amid mounting pressure following deadly shootings at Seattle Center and criticism over his absence during the crisis. Mayor Katie Wilson accepted his departure, praising his service while signaling a shift toward her vision of inclusive public safety. The move has deepened tensions between the mayor and City Council leaders, who had backed Barnes and expressed disappointment at his exit. Deputy Chief Andre Sayles now serves as interim chief as Seattle begins searching for a new leader to steer the department through its challenges — including…