‘S*** happens’: Seattle mayor’s office texts reveal scramble over optics, officials brushing off inaccurate information after Bite of Seattle shooting

Internal text messages released from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s office show staff debating whether the mayor should appear publicly after a gang-related mass shooting at Seattle Center.

At one point in the text exchange, the mayor noted that media expectations were already building.

“Matt says that KOMO is broadcasting that I and city council are expected to be there,” Wilson wrote.

She followed up, weighing whether to go.

“We should consider whether I should come down to talk to KOMO, if that expectation has been created,” Wilson wrote. “I’m sure they would love to spin an ‘absent mayor’ story.”

Aides weighed those optics against safety concerns because a suspect might still be on the grounds.

Staff also debated the timing of the mayor’s public statement. Interim Press Secretary Jonah Spangenthal-Lee raised the question of “whether we want to hold for SPD to make an investigative post/statement before we go forth with anything. They haven’t posted anything in two hours …”

Public Safety Advisor Alison Holcomb pushed back, arguing the mayor should go first.

“The mayor’s statement is general and focused on family and community impacts,” Holcomb wrote. “It’s good for her to take the lead in acknowledging those impacts and letting everyone know we’ll share more as we learn it.”

A screenshot of Public Safety Advisor Alison Holcomb’s text messages. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Mayor’s Office)

Seattle mayor’s team noted reporters were ‘getting antsy’ as press conference was delayed

The texts painted a picture of frustration among reporters waiting for information.

One aide said journalists were “getting antsy” because they were being told a press conference was delayed for dignitaries.

Another noted KIRO 7 was “complaining live on air” and that officials were waiting for Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.

Deputy mayor flagged inaccurate suspect count: ‘This is not accurate. Please revise.’

Text messages also revealed Seattle officials correcting inaccurate information regarding the shooting.

After the mayor’s office posted a statement saying two suspects were in custody, Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt alerted staff, writing, “The statement says 2 suspects in custody. This is not accurate. Please revise.”

Staff updated the statement to reflect there had only been one arrest, then got ready to answer questions about that from reporters.

“That’s the information we received during a very dynamic incident, and we’ve put out an update,” Spangenthal-Lee said.

‘S*** happens,’ Seattle mayor’s office interim press secretary writes

There was also a text exchange between Interim Communications Director Dawn Schellenberg and Spangenthal-Lee, where Schellenberg questioned releasing inaccurate information.

“What do you think about accurate data now that we published a blog with 2 suspects vs 1?” Schellenberg asked.

“Not sure what you mean,” Spangenthal-Lee responded.

“The TP day sharing clear and accurate information,” Schellenberg replied.

“Ah. I mean I’m not really worried about it,” Spangenthal-Lee said. “S*** happens. We still put out 100 percent more information than spd.”

A screenshot of Interim Communications Director Dawn Schellenberg’s text messages. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Mayor’s Office)

The mayor ultimately attended the media availability later that night. It started just before 11 pm, nearly five hours after the shooting started.

Three people–including one of the suspected shooters–died. Four other people–including a two-year-old boy–were wounded. A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting.

So far, he is the only person who has been arrested in connection with the shooting. However, Interim Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles told KIRO-7 on Tuesday they are “closing in” on two people of interest.

Contributing: Frank Lenzi, KIRO Newsradio; Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest