Embattled Seattle police chief relieved of his duties by democratic socialist mayor, Black protest planned

By Fox News · Fox News

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson reportedly relieved embattled Police Chief Shon Barnes of his duties Wednesday night following mounting criticism over his absence from the city and the department’s delayed public response to a mass shooting, a run-in with a reporter and questions over his frequently being out of the city. Barnes was asked to resign during a meeting with the democratic socialist Wilson after he abruptly left a silent vigil for the victims of Sunday’s Bite of Seattle shooting, five sources told FOX 13 Seattle . It is unclear if Barnes accepted Wilson's call for resignation or was ultimately fired. Barnes had canceled a series of scheduled interviews earlier Wednesday and later began texting people about his dismissal, according to the report. The mayor’s office and Seattle Police Department had not publicly confirmed the change or announced who would lead the department next. SEATTLE POLICE CHIEF SNAPS OVER CHICAGO HOME QUESTIONS, ABSENCE FROM CITY AFTER MASS SHOOTING Barnes was feeling the heat from the media for his alleged frequent weekend absences, reportedly due to the fact he is originally from Chicago , where his family still resides. "Those reports are wrong, do you understand?" Barnes told a reporter during a tense exchange earlier in the week. A staffer stepped between Barnes and the reporter as the chief defended his commitment to the city. The confrontation followed criticism of Barnes’ absence when gunfire erupted Sunday evening outside the Seattle Center Armory during the Bite of Seattle festival . Seven people were struck, including three who died and four who were hospitalized. THIRD SUSPECT EMERGES IN DEADLY SEATTLE MASS SHOOTING, ONE ALLEGED GUNMAN FOUND DEAD Barnes was in Dallas attending the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives’ annual conference when the shooting occurred . Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis eventually led the department’s first public briefing several hours after the gunfire, a delay that drew criticis…