Seattle Police Department releases texts from Bite of Seattle shooting

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) has released its internal text messages from the Bite of Seattle shooting.

The texts reveal a flurry of information as authorities worked to determine what happened and whether the incident was gang-related or terrorism.

Messages include communications from Interim Chief Andre Sayles, Deputy Chief Yvonne Underwood, Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis, Assistant Chief Nicole Powell, Chief Operations Officer Sarah Smith, Captain George Davisson, Jennifer Sullivan, Lieutenant Sage Farwell, and Detective Brian Pritchard.

Barnes, nearly an hour after Bite of Seattle shooting: ‘I don’t know who is in charge’

One text from former Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes showed that nearly an hour after the shooting, he didn’t know who was in charge.

“I don’t know who is in charge, but someone needs to assume command and slow down, then follow active shooter protocols,” Barnes sent at 6:52 p.m. to Davis, Chief of Staff Alex Ricketts, Sayles, Underwood, and Smith.

‘Please wait for her’: Texts show officers were told to hold press conference for the mayor

The texts also revealed Seattle officers were asked to wait for the mayor to arrive. Alison Holcomb, director of public safety for the mayor’s office, said she was keeping the mayor away from the scene.

At 6:39 p.m., Barnes said that he had been on the phone with Holcomb.

At 9:36 p.m., Holcomb texted Davis, Barnes, and Smith, “Is SPD doing a media availability tonight? If so, mayor needs to be there.”

Smith responded, “Yes, it’s at 9:45 p.m.”

Smith then texts right after, “Calling Pritchard now.”

Holcomb texted Davis, Barnes, and Smith at 9:38 p.m., saying, “Where and how does the mayor join? I’ve been keeping her away from the scene and HMC, but I don’t want media thinking she’s absent. She wants to know where to be.”

Smith responded at 9:39 p.m., “Meet at turn around at the space needle at EMP. Go to the 5th and Harrison.”

At 9:42 p.m., Holcomb texted Davis and Barnes, “Mayor’s on her way. Please wait for her.”

However, at 10:14 p.m., SPD Chaplain Christopher Gregorio texted Farwell that the mayor had yet to arrive.

“Hey boss, the family has not returned. There’s no signs of them returning the mayor. We haven’t seen her yet to give an interview,” he wrote.

At 10:37 p.m., Gregorio stated that the governor was just arriving.

Barnes’ texts still being prepared

SPD said it is still waiting for Barnes’ text messages to be prepared.

Victims’ names, dates of birth, home addresses, and phone numbers of both victims and police officials have been redacted to protect privacy.

The texts can be viewed here.

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