Latest news with #ShonBarnes
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Seattle police investigate officer-involved shooting in Belltown
The Brief Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. Authorities say it happened before 1 p.m. near 3rd Ave. and Battery St. SEATTLE - Police are investigating a shooting involving an officer in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood. What they're saying According to the Seattle Police Department (SPD), the incident happened at 3rd Avenue and Battery Street at around 12:20 p.m. In a press conference, SPD Chief Shon Barnes said that two officers on the department's bike team were conducting active patrols in the Belltown neighborhood. During the patrol, officers observed a person selling narcotics on the street. Based on their observations, they developed probable cause to arrest him. When officers approached, the man ran away toward 3rd Avenue. The pursuit continued along 3rd Avenue, and the suspect pointed a handgun at officers. The officers took cover and continued their pursuit. The suspect then pointed his gun a second time, and one of the officers fired multiple shots. The suspect dropped his weapon, surrendered to police and was taken into custody without further incident. According to Chief Barnes, no one was injured in the shooting. As standard protocol, the officer will be placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues. At the time, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) issued an alert stating that both northbound and southbound lanes of 3rd Avenue between Cedar Street and Bell Street were blocked due to police activity. Traffic officials urged the public to use alternate routes. This is a developing story. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available. The Source Information in this story comes from the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Department of Transportation. A religious group held a protest outside Seattle City Hall. Here's why LIVE: Updates on Seattle's Tuesday protest, arrests, more Crews battle Second Creek Fire near Leavenworth, WA 2 injured in separate Seattle shootings Teen, child killed in Lacey, WA mobile home fire Crews investigate explosion at Woodinville, WA hardware store College Inn Pub announces closure after 50 years in Seattle Dave's Hot Chicken to open 4 new locations in Seattle area. Here's where To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Seattle police looking for black Tesla after 3 killed in Pioneer Square shooting
The Brief Seattle police are seeking a black Tesla for possible video evidence in Saturday's Pioneer Square shooting that killed three people. No arrests have been made yet, and the Tesla driver is not considered a suspect. Seattle Police plan to increase patrols in Pioneer Square to address recent violence. SEATTLE - Three people died and another is fighting for their life in the hospital after a shooting in Pioneer Square over the weekend. Now, Seattle police are looking for the driver of a black Tesla, who they hope can help give them answers as to who is behind the shooting. As of Monday afternoon, there were no arrests in the case, according to the police. What they're saying Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes held a news conference addressing the media. Officers are now looking for a black Tesla, possibly a Model Y that was seen leaving the area of South Washington Street in Pioneer Square at 1:18 a.m. on Saturday. "The person driving or owners are not considered a suspect, we would like to review any video evidence that was captured on this Tesla," Chief Barnes said. He adds, they believe the driver may be a ride share driver or someone who was in the area picking up another person. "To the families of these victims, please know that I have directed every resource in this case to bring the person or persons to justice," Barnes said. Saturday's mass shooting comes after several recent acts of violence in the area. On Sunday night, police arrested a man after they say he stabbed another man and knocked a person unconscious in Occidental Square. Earlier this month, another shooting happened outside of a nightclub, as well as a different stabbing. "Let me be clear, Seattle is a safe and welcoming city and we do not and will not tolerate violence in our city," Barnes said. He also announced on Monday that as we approach the busy summer months, more officers will be out in Pioneer Square. FOX 13 asked just how many more officers, since SPD already had increased patrols in the area. No exact number was given, but Chief Barnes explained that the department has directive patrols, which are officers currently on duty. He has also authorized overtime for officers to join violent crime reduction teams. "If you want the numbers, that's three teams of one sergeant and four officers for five and there's three teams over the course of the city," Barnes said. He said these were already in place before Saturday. The goal now is to bring whoever is behind Saturday's shooting to justice. "We owe that to the people who lost their lives this week and we owe that to our survivor," Barnes said. He also acknowledged there's more work to be done to return the city to one where everyone feels safe. What you can do Anyone with information is asked to contact the Seattle Police Department's Violent Crimes Tip Line at (206) 233-5000. The Source Information in this story came from a news conference held by the Seattle Police Department, and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Palm Springs bombing suspect cited Fox Island, WA killing in manifesto, FBI says 2 Alaska Airlines planes clip wings at Sea-Tac Airport Burien police: Gang member detained with ghost gun New safety regulations for late-night lounges in Seattle go into effect Olympic National Park among most in-demand National Parks this summer Motorcycle theft suspect shot, killed by police in Whatcom County, WA Joe Biden diagnosed with 'aggressive form' of prostate cancer To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police search for black Tesla that may have video of Pioneer Square mass shooting; victim remembered
Seattle Police are searching for the driver of a Black Tesla, possibly a Model Y, that was driving in Pioneer Square early Saturday morning. They believe the car may have recorded video footage of the incident that could help police identify a possible suspect. 'We know that these vehicles are equipped with video evidence and that they write over very quickly,' said Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes. 'So it's important to get that information out now.' The shooting left three people dead and one person fighting for their life Saturday. It happened just after 1 a.m. near South Washington Street and 2nd Avenue South. No arrests have been made. Police have not officially identified the victims, but a group of relatives visiting the scene Monday identified their loved one, 19-year-old Keilani Harris, as one of those killed. 'I just want my baby here,' said her mother, Christina Rivas. 'Being here, seeing where she laid. I have no words to describe what I'm feeling inside.' Harris's family will remember her uncontrollable laughter, her energy for life, and her never-ending support. 'I was able to tell her anything at any time,' her brother told KIRO 7. 'I will miss her really much,' added her little sister. Her family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses. Rivas is begging anyone with information to come forward. She said she has been frustrated with the lack of communication she's received about information coming out. 'I'm begging you to, please, anybody,' she said. 'No matter the smallest detail that you have that could lead to an arrest. Please.' Police are asking anyone with information to call the department's Violent Crimes Tip Line at 206-233-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips can be given anonymously.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
KIRO 7 Investigates: Could officers return to Seattle Public Schools?
Could officers be returning to Seattle Public Schools, five years after the district ended its program that allowed law enforcement in schools? Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes told KIRO 7 in a sit-down interview with Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington that it's a priority for the city. 'When I talk to people, they want us to return to the schools in some capacity inside the school,' Barnes said. Garfield High School has been at the center of discussions when it comes to returning an officer to Seattle schools. 'Are you saying that SPD is looking to get a school engagement officer inside Garfield next school year?' KIRO 7 reporter Linzi Sheldon asked. 'I think not only SPD but many people in the community, many people who are parents, teachers, and students would like to see some meaningful engagement of our police officers inside the school,' Barnes said. He said depending on data, multiple schools could each have an SEO, a school engagement officer. Each officer would be out of uniform but still armed. 'Do you have enough officers now to have a dedicated officer for potentially each of those high schools?' Sheldon asked. 'I've always believed that resources are spent where your heart and your energy is,' Barnes said. Garfield had a School Resource Officer in the past. But a moratorium in 2020 removed police from inside Seattle Public Schools. The school board made the move amidst nationwide protests against police violence, specifically against people of color, and controversy over armed officers in schools. 'It's my understanding that the school board would have to lift the moratorium and then I would certainly be willing to sit down and have as many meetings as necessary to talk about it,' Barnes said. Seattle Public Schools Executive Director of Safety and Security Jose Curiel Morelos said the district is ready to present a proposal to the school board this summer. 'We need to go up to the board for them to lift it, but we also need communities to come together and ask for it,' he said. Morelos said the district has drafted a Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU. He said a school engagement officer would need to be a person students could develop a trusted relationship with. 'I also grew up undocumented, so for me, you know, for different people, a uniform can mean different things, right?' he said. 'So we have to be mindful of that, too, and how we communicate to the community that police are there to be a resource and they're not there to, you know, be part of disciplinary procedures and or, you know, immigration enforcement or anything like that.' 'This actually should have been in place this school year,' parent Appollonia Washington said. Her son is a sophomore at Garfield High School. Her daycare, A 4 Apple Learning Center, is just a few blocks away. Washington said she knows many in the community wanted an officer to return to Garfield even before the shooting death of 17-year-old Amarr Murphy-Paine in June of 2024 in the school parking lot. Late last year, Interim Police Chief Sue Rahr told KIRO 7 that she had been under the impression that a pilot program was going to begin in the fall of 2024. But in August, she said, something changed. 'I don't know what changed but the plan shifted away from that,' she said. 'We want these resources and they're still not here,' Garfield parent and PTSA co-president Alicia Spanswick said. KIRO 7 first started talking to Washington and Spanswick last fall after the district and city rolled out a $14.55 million plan to make kids safer. Spanswick's two children also attend Garfield. Both parents have been asking for the same things: better communications on the district and city's plan; information on mental health supports for students; and when Garfield will get an officer back inside the school. In September, Spanswick expressed doubts about Public Health's ability to hire 42 new mental health specialists by June. 'I hesitate to say that those would get filled in the in this school year,' she said then. She wasn't wrong. 14 out of the 42 have been hired so far. 'So they've hired 14 of 42. How are they going to close that gap in just a few months?' KIRO 7 reporter Linzi Sheldon asked Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington. 'So when you hire that large of a group of people that you're looking for the same specialty, you always have people in queue,' Deputy Mayor Washington said. 'And so just because they've only hired 14 out of 42, they probably at any one time could have 150 active applications.' 'So they feel confident that they're going to reach 42 by the time school starts in this coming year?' Sheldon asked. 'Yep,' Deputy Mayor Washington said. According to SPS, the 14 new mental health specialists are being placed across Rainier Beach, Garfield, Chief Sealth International, Franklin, Ingraham, Aki Kurose, Washington, Denny, Mercer, Robert Eagle Staff, and Meany. 'Each school will receive at least one additional mental health clinician, bringing the total to two full-time mental health specialists per site once hiring is complete,' SPS Accountability Officer Ted Howard wrote. 'Hiring is underway, with positions at Garfield and Seattle World School already filled. The full rollout is expected to begin by the start of the 2025–26 school year.' The plan also includes telehealth support. SPS said between July and December of 2024, Joon served 193 students, while Talkspace, which launched in December 2024, served 240 students through March 2025. Both services will continue into the 2025–26 school year. And when it comes to the overall safety plan, the deputy mayor told KIRO 7 that the funding will return next year. Washington said the money would come from SPD, the city's general fund, the Seattle Human Services Department, and $46.6 million from Mayor Bruce Harrell's proposed $1.3 billion levy called 'Every Child Ready,' if voters approve it. Spanswick said it's good information. 'It would just be nice if they shared it with us,' she said. Deputy Mayor Washington said the city will roll out a dashboard to track these investments, something Spanswick has been asking for. But Appollonia Washington wants community meetings to figure out the best ways to spend this money. She said some of the money might be better spent contracting with counseling services already in the community or organizing get-togethers that help people support young people. 'Bring others to the table, more youth to the table,' she said. The city has also made changes to patrols after KIRO 7 discovered the police logged only half a dozen patrols outside the five high schools that the city said had higher rates of violence. Barnes now tells KIRO 7 that SPD's added a new dispatch code to track those patrols. Numbers show between April 15th and May 7th, officers visited each high school dozens of times. Garfield saw 34 patrol counts logged; Chief Sealth, 28; Rainier Beach, 24; Franklin, 22; and Ingraham, 21. 'We're making sure we're more efficient with our patrols,' Barnes said. The district is also rolling out an updated security system across all 106 schools as part of the BEX VI levy. That will include new cameras, access control, intrusion alarms, and vestibule entrances in all schools. The district is focusing on 15 schools right now and plans to complete 30 a year. And Morelos said SPS has added 15 more security specialists. 'We're prioritizing based on the need and based on incidents,' he said. Garfield had two; now, it has four. Both Alicia Spanswick and Appollonia Washington want to be hopeful as the school year ends — but they know a lot depends on the school board. 'I would like to be optimistic,' Spanswick said. 'We need the school board to do their job,' Washington said. KIRO 7 emailed all 7 school board members to ask if they would consider officers returning to schools. None of them responded.
Axios
14-04-2025
- Axios
Seattle watchdog urges police to set AI policy
Seattle's police watchdog is urging the department to create a clear policy for the use of artificial intelligence following a complaint about a sergeant using tools like ChatGPT to help write emails and internal reports. Why it matters: SPD has no department-specific policy governing AI use, per the Office of Police Accountability, creating a gray area for officers as generative tools become more common. The complaint last year raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and the handling of sensitive information, even though the sergeant was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing. Driving the news: In a letter this month to Police Chief Shon Barnes, OPA interim director Bonnie Glenn said SPD's policy should detail whether AI use is permitted, the conditions under which AI may be used, and the permissible uses of AI-generated content. Seattle police spokesperson Patrick Michaud confirmed reception of the letter but referred questions to OPA. Catch up quick: OPA sent Axios the August 2024 complaint that claimed a sergeant used ChatGPT, Grammarly and other AI tools to help write internal reports. The sergeant acknowledged using AI but denied entering sensitive information into the programs, per the case summary. SPD's technology and innovation captain told OPA that officers were cautioned against using unsecured AI tools like Grammarly but the department lacked its own policy on AI use. Zoom out: The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office last year barred law enforcement from submitting reports drafted by AI, warning that tools like ChatGPT could introduce factual errors, compromise privacy, and weaken the legal reliability of police narratives, office spokesperson Casey McNerthney told Axios. The prosecutor's office acknowledges that some police departments are experimenting with AI for scheduling, data sorting, or surveillance, but also says most are still wary of using it to write official documents. The American Civil Liberties Union has also spoken out, saying AI in policing can reduce transparency and accountability while amplifying bias and eroding officer memory. What they're saying:"Because police reports play such an important role in criminal investigations and prosecutions, introducing novel AI language-generating technology into the criminal justice system raises significant civil liberties and civil rights concerns, the ACLU wrote in December. Between the lines: Seattle already has a citywide Generative AI policy, adopted in 2023, that requires staff to disclose when they use generative AI and bans the use of non-approved platforms.
