Seattle police chief resigns under pressure from mayor over response to festival shooting

Seattle’s police chief resigned Thursday amid criticism that the city was slow to release key information about a fatal shootout at a food festival last weekend. Mayor Katie Wilson’s announcement followed hours of speculation about whether Police Chief Shon Barnes would step down, as some of his supporters said he had rebuffed Wilson’s request to resign. Wilson said she was appointing Deputy Chief Andre Sayles, a law enforcement veteran with more than two decades of experience, as interim chief. Barnes told The Seattle Times earlier Thursday that whether he remained as chief was “up to the mayor.” He said he was off for the day and spending time with family. In a written statement, the mayor said she was grateful for Barnes’ service. The statement included comments in which Barnes called it an honor to have served the city.