Seattle police chief is FIRED by woke mayor after he was filmed squaring up to reporter who asked him about deadly shooting

Seattle police chief Shon Barnes has been fired amid scrutiny over his response to a tragic mass shooting in the city last week, reports say. 

Barnes, 55, was dismissed by Seattle’s socialist mayor Katie Wilson on Wednesday evening, sources told Fox13. 

He had been criticized for not being in the city when three people were shot dead on Sunday night at a food festival, before he was filmed squaring up to a reporter when he was questioned over his absence. 

Barnes said he had been in Texas attending the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officers Conference and angrily told a reporter that he had been ‘working as hard as I can for this city’ when asked why he was away. 

Authorities believe Sunday’s shooting was the result of several gang members shooting at each other at the food festival, although Barnes then came under scrutiny for refusing to use the term ‘gangs’ when describing the tragedy. 

He instead used the term ‘small groups that appear to be at odds with each other.’ 

Wilson has not commented publicly on her reasons for reportedly dismissing Barnes. The Daily Mail has reached out to her office for comment.

Barnes had led the Seattle Police Department since January 2025. The police chief had reportedly been scheduled to give several media interviews on Wednesday evening, but the appearances were abruptly cancelled. 

Hours later, he was seen at a silent vigil for the victims of Sunday’s shooting, and sources reportedly said he was fired by Wilson at a meeting soon after he left the memorial service. 

Authorities said they believe several gang members opened fire during the shooting. 

One of the deceased, Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, was alleged to have been one of the shooters. 

Bystanders Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, and Ashley Whitehead, 56, were also identified as those killed in the shooting, with at least four other people injured. 

Police also arrested a 15-year-old in connection with the shooting, with at least one other suspect being sought by investigators.   

Wilson’s administration was criticized for its response to the tragedy as it released contradictory statements on the search. 

The shooting unfolded at 6pm local time, but when Katie Wilson’s office issued a statement almost three hours later, it included incorrect information. The first press conference was then delayed twice, leaving concerned citizens in limbo.

At a second press conference on Monday, Wilson appeared to lose her temper at a reporter questioning the delays, snapping back: ‘This speaks to the tension between providing information early and providing it accurately.’

In Barnes’ own hot-headed moment, he berated a reporter for questioning his response to the shooting, saying: ‘I wish that I had a crystal ball and we could schedule gun violence, but we can’t.’

Barnes conceded that the shooting was likely gang related, as he said he was frustrated that ‘in our city, 0.01 percent of the population is connected to 52 percent of our shootings, most of which are young people.’ 

When South Seattle Emerald reporter Connor Nash followed up on his absence, the police chief erupted, a video posted on X by independent journalist Jonathan Choe showed. 

‘Let me tell you something. I don’t have to tell you where I go. I had a medical procedure on Friday,’ he fumed.

‘I have been here working as hard as I can for this city, from the day I got here. You got that?’

Nash then responded: ‘But there are reports that you’re not in town often,’ to which the chief said: ‘The reports are wrong, do you understand?’

As the reporter attempted a follow-up, a staff member intervened, repeatedly urging Barnes, ‘Let’s go,’ as he ushered the chief away.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Seattle Police Department for comment.