By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-07-30 00:11:28 | Updated at 2026-08-10 19:00:33
1 week ago
Seattle's police chief has come under scrutiny after he was absent during a recent mass shooting, as allegations resurface that he spends weekends away with his wife and kids in Chicago.
Chief Shon Barnes has been under a microscope since Seattle endured a horrific tragedy on Sunday when a gunman opened fire at a food festival.
Police arrested a 15-year-old male, whose identity has not been revealed due to his age, after three people were killed and five were injured.
Barnes was in Dallas, Texas, over the weekend to attend the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives' annual conference and is now facing criticism for not being in the city when the shooting broke out.
He held a press conference on Tuesday alongside Mayor Katie Wilson and was peppered with questions about his out-of-town visits.
Barnes's absence during the shooting resurfaced allegations from earlier this month that he spent most weekends from February to mid-June out of town, according to an investigation by PubliCola.
A reporter grilled Barnes about his visits to Chicago to see his wife and kids, but he skirted the question and refused to say how often he visits his family out of state.
'How often do you travel to Chicago? Your wife and kids still live there. I'd like to know how often on weekends you travel there and who's paying for that,' the reporter pressed.
Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes answered tense questions about his out-of-town travel during a press conference on Tuesday
Barnes' family still lives in Chicago, where he used to reside. A recent investigation claimed he visited his family numerous times from February to June
Barnes denied the reports that he is frequently out of town on weekends to visit his family in Chicago
Barnes brushed off the question and said he does not visit Chicago 'as often as I would like,' calling reports that he traveled every weekend 'grossly misstated.'
'I don't have that kind of money. I'm here in Seattle. I love the neighborhood that I live in. I love my community. They love me. They know me. They see me all the time,' he added.
Barnes then awkwardly pointed his remarks to Wilson, quipping that he did not 'love the rent' he paid, but that affordability was something the mayor was working on.
'Isn't that right, Mayor?' he said, to which Wilson agreed. 'I feel good about living in Seattle. I love this community. Thank you,' he concluded.
Barnes previously worked in Chicago and was a finalist for the Chief of Police position in 2023.
He then accepted a position as a police chief in Wisconsin before he was nominated by former Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell to serve as Chief of Police last July.
PubliCola's investigation earlier this month claimed that he was out of town for a majority of weekends from February 1 to June 20, citing his official schedule, social media posts and interviews with sources close to the chief.
Barnes was forced to answer questions about why he was out of town when the shooting broke out. He is pictured above with Mayor Wilson at a vigil for the victims on Monday
A shooting at a food festival in Seattle left three dead and multiple injured. A vigil for the victims is shown above
There is still limited information about Sunday's shooting. Mourners are pictured above at a vigil for the victims on Monday
PubliCola also cited multiple occasions where he was out of town for a conference or to deliver a keynote speech.
Seattle Police Department (SPD)'s Chief of Staff told the outlet at the time that Barnes has been 'tirelessly working to protect the Seattle community.'
'The Seattle City Council’s 9-0 unanimous confirmation of Barnes last week as Chief of Police underscores his commitment to making the department a model for policing excellence by prioritizing transparency, collaboration, and accountability,' the statement added.
Barnes' schedule now has a renewed interest after it came to light that he was out of town for a conference during last weekend's shooting.
He defended the decision at Tuesday's press conference, telling a reporter: 'I wanted to be at the conference to support one of our community members who was getting an award.
Barnes added that one of the department's community service officers had been honored at the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, which was why he was in attendance.
A viral video captured a tense exchange between Barnes and a reporter
His calm answer contrasted with an altercation he had earlier this week, where he engaged in a tense confrontation with a reporter who asked why he did not attend a press conference about the shooting on Sunday.
In a video posted on X by independent reporter Jonathan Choe, Barnes staunchly told South Seattle reporter Connor Nash: 'Let me tell you something. I don’t have to tell you where I go. I had a medical procedure on Friday.'
'I have been here working as hard as I can for this city, from the day I got here. You got that?' Barnes lashed.
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 to 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 SPD for comment.
