Wisconsin police chief overseeing school shooting probe is named to Seattle job

MADISON, Wis. — Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes was named as the chief of police in Seattle on Friday, five days after he was thrust into the national spotlight because of a shooting at a religious school in Wisconsin that killed a teacher and student.

Barnes' departure comes as Madison police are still in the early days of their investigation into what motivated 15-year-old Natalie ''Samantha'' Rupnow to open fire at Abundant Life Christian School, killing teacher Erin West and 14-year-old freshman Rubi Patricia Vergara and critically wounding two other students. Rupnow then killed herself, authorities said.

In a statement announcing the decision, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said Barnes has demonstrated ''impressive leadership capabilities" during the school shooting investigation.

Barnes was known to be a finalist for the Seattle job before the shooting. He has served as the chief of police in Wisconsin's capital city since 2021. He also was a finalist to become chief of police in Chicago in 2023 and San Jose, California, in October.

Barnes did not mention the shooting in the statement from Harrell's office. ''My family and I are excited about the opportunity to integrate into Seattle's vibrant community, known for its diversity, innovation and resilience,'' Barnes said.

The Seattle mayor's office office said Barnes was chosen over two other finalists, an assistant police chief in Montgomery County, Maryland, and a deputy chief in Los Angeles.

Harrell, Seattle's mayor, reassigned former police Chief Adrian Diaz in May over allegations that Diaz discriminated against women and people of color. Diaz was fired this week after an investigation found he had an intimate relationship with a former television news anchor before he hired her as his chief of staff.

Barnes has taken center stage responding to the school shooting with mixed results. His department initially reported that five people had been killed.

Two wounded students remained in critical condition Friday but were stable, UW Hospital said.

Barnes also said at a news conference that the first 911 call came from a second-grade student. A day later, Barnes said it had in fact come from a second-grade teacher.

Barnes has done many interviews with local and national media outlets this week, while defending not releasing more details about the shooter's motivation or whether her parents may be charged, citing the ongoing investigation.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway on Friday congratulated Barnes on his new job and praised his handling of the shooting.