Seattle Police Chief Blows Up After Questions About Absence During Deadly Festival Mass Shooting [WATCH]

Seattle officials are facing continued scrutiny following a deadly shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival that left three people dead and four others injured, as questions remain about the city’s emergency response and public communication, as reported by Townhall.

The shooting occurred Sunday as the annual food festival was concluding. According to the reported timeline, two individuals exchanged gunfire, resulting in a mass casualty incident.

Police later arrested a 15-year-old in connection with the shooting, while another person of interest remained at large more than 17 hours after the incident.

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The response by law enforcement and city officials has drawn criticism over the lack of emergency notifications and delays in providing information to the public.

According to KOMO News, no AlertSeattle emergency notification was issued following the shooting.

The city’s emergency alert system is designed to send text messages, emails, and phone notifications during public safety emergencies.

Paul Nicholas, a vendor at the Bite of Seattle, told KOMO News that his booth overlooked the area where the shooting occurred.

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He said he did not receive updates from Seattle Center officials, the Seattle Police Department, or the office of Mayor Katie Wilson regarding whether the area was secure, whether authorities were searching for another suspect, or when vendors could safely retrieve their property.

Questions also emerged regarding the timing of the department’s initial media briefing. According to the report, members of the media waited several hours for a preliminary press conference following the shooting.

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes was attending a conference in Dallas, Texas, when the shooting occurred.

During a news conference Monday, Barnes was questioned about the department’s response, including the delay in releasing information to the public and why emergency alerts were not issued.

According to KOMO News, South Seattle Emerald reporter Connor Nash pressed Barnes about the department’s communication with residents during the incident.

Barnes said the department’s priority was securing the crime scene and searching for the second person of interest.

He also acknowledged the importance of providing timely information to the public.

“The public has a right to participate in their own public safety. They can only do that if we get our information out.”

Officials have not publicly explained why AlertSeattle was not activated following the shooting.

Mayor Katie Wilson reportedly said she was uncertain whether the emergency notification system would typically be used under those circumstances.

Seattle describes AlertSeattle as its official emergency notification system and says it distributes critical public safety information during emergencies.

The city’s Office of Emergency Management refers to it as the “best way” for residents to receive emergency information.

Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the council’s Public Safety Committee, said questions surrounding the emergency alert system were valid.

“It’s a very good point,” Kettle said.

When asked why no emergency alerts were sent, Kettle responded:

“I don’t have the answer to that question.”

The incident has also highlighted the actions of responding officers, who authorities said arrested a 15-year-old suspect and rendered aid to an injured child at the scene.

As of the latest information reported in the source article, investigators were still searching for a second person of interest, and questions remained about the timeline of the public notification process, the decision not to activate AlertSeattle, and the handling of communications following the shooting.

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