Local Guide

Seattle Mayor Orders Review of City Communications After Bite of Seattle Mass Shooting

Seattle Today Newsroom
August 11, 2026

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has ordered an independent review of how city officials and emergency responders communicated with the public following the July 26 mass shooting at the Bite of Seattle, as the city looks to identify gaps and improve its response to future critical incidents.

The review will be conducted by the Seattle Office of Inspector General and will examine the timeline and effectiveness of public communications during and after the shooting. Investigators will also look into possible incident of delays, what caused them and whether changes are needed to improve coordination between city departments and the public.

Wilson has directed all city departments and offices involved in the response to cooperate with the review, including providing records and participating in interviews. Inspector General Lisa Judge said the review is intended to help the city assess its response and identify lessons that could strengthen communication during future emergencies.

Interim Seattle Police Chief Andre Sayles said the department supports the review and assures full cooperation. The Inspector General’s findings will be provided to the mayor and Seattle City Council’s Public Safety Committee, with the final report expected to be made public. The review is expected to be completed by mid-December.

ST
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