(Just The News)—U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal questioned the competence of Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson during the confusion over the news conference after the July 26 Bite of Seattle triple-fatal shooting, new records The Center Square obtained Thursday show.
At 10:12 p.m., Jayapal messaged Gov. Bob Ferguson, writing “I’m wondering if we should be there at all. I don’t think she knows what she is doing.”
The city’s response to the shooting and getting timely information out to the media and public has haunted Wilson’s administration, resulting in her requesting the resignation of the police chief and apologizing for a lack of quick response.
In the hours following the shooting, rumors spread as to the reason for the delaying a police briefing and press conference, with one Seattle Police official telling media they were waiting on “dignitaries,” presumably referring to Jayapal and Ferguson, both Democrats.
While the records indicate at one point that was the case, it was after they had been told previously that a press conference would take place the next morning.
In a text message sent after the shooting included in the public records request, Jayapal wrote to Ferguson that she spoke to Wilson and “suggested Katie pull us all together with a call with police chief to brief us.”
Jayapal also wrote that she “suggested to her (Wilson) that if they are doing a press conference, it would be good if we were all there.”
“Agree,” Ferguson texted back.
Then-Police Chief Shon Barnes was in Dallas at the time of the shooting and flew into Seattle that night to attend the press conference, which involved a verbal confrontation with a local reporter. Barnes resigned days later at the request of Wilson.
The Center Square previously reported that Wilson initially told Ferguson at 7:41 p.m. a briefing might be held that evening, but her office sent no subsequent confirmation via text. However, phone call logs show Wilson called Ferguson several minutes later.
Minutes afterwards there was an 8 p.m. Zoom meeting attended by Ferguson, Jayapal, and several city officials, followed by a 9 p.m. Teams meeting in which SPD said there was still an active scene and elected officials should not go near the area.
According to a statement from the Governor’s Office contained in the Public Record’s Office email to The Center Square, “the Governor believed his scheduled meetings for the day were complete, and that he would be attending a media availability with other elected officials the following morning.”
However, plans changed at 10:05 p.m. the Governor’s Office was informed Wilson would hold a press conference that night.
At 10:12 p.m., Jayapal messaged Ferguson, questioning whether Wilson knows what she’s doing.
A minute later, Ferguson texted Wilson, writing “Pls call.”
Ferguson then texted Jayapal back minutes later, saying “Spoke w mayor. Asked her to call u directly.”
“They’re waiting for both us,” Jayapal replied. “I will be there in 15 minutes.”
At 10:35 p.m., Jeremy Harris of KOMO News posted on X that “this is outrageous. The police press update is being postponed again because ‘dignitaries’ want to be here. The public is being told to wait for information about a mass shooting outside a press conference because politicians want to make sure they’re here when cameras roll.”
According to records obtained by The Center Square, Jayapal sent Harris’ post to Ferguson the next day, calling the accusation “outrageous.”
Interim Press Secretary Alex Hudson sent The Center Square a statement that did not address Jayapal’s remarks questioning Wilson’s competency.
“In the two months since the tragedy at the Bite of Seattle Mayor Wilson has stayed focused on strengthening public safety communication practices, releasing a new approach to reducing gun violence, and introducing a balanced budget which invests in public safety and well-being,” he wrote. “The mayor has reflected on that evening’s coordination with other elected officials and moving forward remain committed to increasing safety outcomes for people and working effectively across all levels of government to deliver.”
Ferguson Communications Director Brionna Aho would not answer further questions, writing to The Center Square that “our office doesn’t have further comment beyond the detailed timeline provided.”
Jayapal issued a news release, saying “in my ten years in Congress, I’ve had to respond to many difficult moments and have learned the best way is to immediately brief the public quickly and transparently, convene elected officials across all levels of government to ensure availability of any federal resources needed, and be visibly present to offer support and information to our constituents who rely on us to be there for them. My text messages with the Governor reflect exactly this approach.”
