Seattle Mayor Appoints Andre Sayles as Interim Police Chief Following Resignation of Shon Barnes

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson announced the appointment of Andre Sayles as the interim police chief on Friday, following the resignation of Police Chief Shon Barnes. Barnes resigned after a shooting incident at the Bite of Seattle food festival, which resulted in two fatalities and four injuries. Mayor Wilson stated that Sayles was chosen for his previous experience as a police chief in Wisconsin and his community-focused approach to policing. She emphasized the importance of making decisions that impact public safety. Barnes described the shooting as 'targeted' and 'gang-related,' noting that the victims were not connected to the suspects. One arrest has been made in connection with the incident, and another suspect is deceased. Sayles confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that the department will increase staffing at upcoming summer events to address community safety concerns. Mayor Wilson is also in the process of searching for a permanent replacement for Barnes, indicating that community input will be a key factor in the selection process.