SEATTLE — Seattle’s interim police chief Andre Sayles met with investigators Monday afternoon for an update on the investigation into the deadly mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle in Seattle Center, where seven people were shot and three were killed.
More than a week after the shooting at the Bite of Seattle food festival, a third suspect remains at large.
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It has been eight days since the shooting, and police still have not publicly identified who fired the shots that killed two innocent bystanders.
Questions also remain about the weapons used. Forensic evidence indicates at least four guns were discharged. Investigators have recovered three firearms so far, including an untraceable and illegal ghost gun. It is still unclear whether investigators have identified the third suspect, who remains on the run, and whether any remaining gun or guns have been found.
Those were among the questions KOMO News sought to ask Seattle’s new interim police chief in a sit-down interview on his first full official workday. His staff said he did not have time Monday, but would be available Friday.
However, KOMO News ran into Interim Chief Sayles outside Seattle Police Department headquarters and asked him about the investigation.
“I got a meeting,” Sayles said.
Asked what he could share with the public about the investigation, Sayles said, “We are working on it, we’re doing some good work. I’m actually going to a meeting right now with our investigative team.”
When asked about the third suspect, Sayles said, “Once I get some information from them, we will for sure let the community know.”
It took five hours for police to publicly share any details the night of the shooting, and information has emerged slowly since then – even as city leaders have promised a thorough and transparent investigation.
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Seven people were shot within the span of a few minutes, and three were killed, including a 19-year-old who police believe was involved in what was likely a gang-related incident.
Former SPD Chief Shon Barnes resigned just a few days after the shooting, following an uproar of public and media questions regarding his response to the incident and his frequent absences from the city.
Questions also remain about the interim chief’s availability and residency as the city searches for a permanent police chief. The mayor has said one hiring criterion for the next chief is being consistently present in Seattle and keeping travel to a reported appropriate minimum.
Sayles confirmed last week that he lives in East King County, outside Seattle city limits, and has a second home near the Illinois-Wisconsin border that he visits. He said he visits his family in Illinois about every eight weeks, but is looking to make this area his home.
Separately, the city is still releasing former Chief Shon Barnes’ schedule. The city released his calendar from April through July, which showed approximately 50 days away from Seattle, mostly for conferences and police-related trips. From February to July, there were four trips to Chicago to visit family.
