Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson relieved embattled Police Chief Shon Barnes of his duties Wednesday night, according to multiple reports. The removal came after mounting criticism over Barnes' absence from the city during a mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival and a delayed department response that left residents without immediate public information about the attack.

Barnes was in Dallas attending the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives' annual conference when gunfire erupted Sunday evening outside the Seattle Center Armory. Seven people were struck, including three who died and four who were hospitalized. Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis eventually led the department's first public briefing several hours after the shooting, a delay that drew criticism from residents and local officials.

Barnes was asked to resign during a meeting with Wilson after he abruptly left a silent vigil for the victims earlier Wednesday evening. It remains unclear whether Barnes accepted the call for resignation or was ultimately fired. The mayor's office and Seattle Police Department had not publicly confirmed the change or announced who would lead the department next as of early Thursday.

What the Left Is Saying

Black community leaders in Seattle are planning a protest at City Hall in response to Barnes' removal, according to posts on social media. Organizations including the Seattle NAACP, Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle and the MLK Coalition called for an 11 a.m. ET demonstration Thursday. The groups have not yet issued public statements explaining their position on the chief's ouster.

Barnes had been a relatively new appointment, having been selected through a nationwide search just one year ago after leading police departments in Madison, Wisconsin and holding leadership positions in Chicago and North Carolina. Upon arriving in Seattle, he promoted a data-driven strategy called "Seattle-Centric Policing," which emphasized cooperation among officers, businesses, schools, government agencies and community organizations.

The reported removal represents a sharp reversal for Wilson, who had previously announced she would retain Barnes and work with him to emphasize professionalism, accountability, compassion and community partnership within the department. The mayor's office has not released a public statement on the leadership change.

What the Right Is Saying

Conservative critics have questioned Barnes' commitment to Seattle, pointing to reports that he frequently traveled back to Chicago where his family resides. During a tense exchange with a reporter earlier this week, Barnes pushed back against those characterizations.

"Those reports are wrong, do you understand?" Barnes told the reporter during the confrontation. A staffer stepped between Barnes and the reporter as the chief defended his commitment to the city.

Republicans and law enforcement advocates have noted that Barnes canceled scheduled interviews with local media Wednesday where he was expected to address questions about his travel and residency. The department released portions of his calendar instead, though critics argued that calendar records do not fully explain his frequent absences from the city.

What the Numbers Show

The Sunday shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival resulted in seven people struck by gunfire: three died at the scene or shortly after arriving at hospitals, and four remained hospitalized as of Wednesday. The victims' names had not been publicly released as of publication time.

Barnes became chief of the Seattle Police Department approximately one year ago, having previously led the Madison Police Department and held positions in Chicago and Greensboro and Salisbury, North Carolina. His tenure thus spans roughly 12 months before his removal Wednesday night.

A 15-year-old has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting, according to police statements. Detectives continue seeking evidence and other people believed to have been involved in the attack. The department did not provide a timeline for when additional charges or arrests might be announced.

The Bottom Line

The removal of Chief Barnes leaves the Seattle Police Department facing another leadership transition while detectives investigate one of the city's deadliest recent acts of gun violence. Wilson, who has described herself as a democratic socialist, now must name an interim chief or initiate another nationwide search for permanent leadership during an active investigation and ongoing community concerns about public safety.

The planned protest by Black community organizations suggests potential friction between the mayor's decision and segments of the population that may have valued Barnes' approach to community policing. Wilson has not publicly explained her reversal on retaining the chief, leaving questions about what new information or pressures led to Wednesday night's meeting.

What happens next: Seattle residents should watch for official announcements from the mayor's office regarding interim police leadership and any public statements from Barnes himself about the circumstances of his departure.