Seattle Police Chief Resigns Amid Criticism Over Festival Mass Shooting Response
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, formerly the deputy chief of Salisbury police, resigned after criticism of his department's response to a mass shooting at a festival that killed three people on July 26th.
Charlotte, NC, July 30, 2026 —
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned from his position following criticism regarding his department’s handling of a mass shooting incident. The incident, which occurred at a festival on July 26th, resulted in the deaths of three individuals.
Barnes, who previously served as the deputy chief of Salisbury police, faced scrutiny over the police department’s response to the tragedy. The specifics of the criticism and the exact nature of the departmental response were not detailed in the provided summary.
The mass shooting took place at a festival on July 26th, leading to a significant law enforcement response and subsequent public concern over its effectiveness. The resignation follows this period of heightened criticism directed at the leadership of the Seattle Police Department.
Details regarding the timeline of the criticism, the specific individuals or groups voicing concerns, and any subsequent investigations or reviews into the department’s actions were not provided. The summary also did not specify the exact date of Chief Barnes’ resignation or any information about his future plans.
Information about the shooter or shooters, their apprehension, and the ongoing investigation into the mass shooting was not included in the summary. The focus of the provided information remains on the departure of the Police Chief and the criticism that preceded it.
Story summarized from the original created by Spencer Chrisman on www.wbtv.com, see more information here.
