On Tuesday morning, Seattle interim police Chief Andre Sayles went before Seattle City Council for a briefing about the Bite of Seattle security response.
On Tuesday morning, Seattle interim police Chief Andre Sayles went before Seattle City Council for a briefing about the Bite of Seattle security response.
The briefing follows the July 26 shooting at Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle that killed three and injured four others. More than two weeks and a new police chief later, there is still at least one suspected gunman on the loose; Sayles said there are some search warrants being written that "will be fruitful for the investigation." Sayles, though, could not give a description of the suspect, or even confirm whether one was still on the run.
"Is there a killer on the loose, yes or no," councilmember Rob Saka asked Sayles.
"Speaking with my detectives this morning, we're combing through some warrants and looking at some things," Sayles said. "I can't say yes or no. There is a possibility."
Sayles said they will likely have better information, that will then be available to the public, once the search warrants are signed. He said he can not release any description of the suspected gunman because he does not want to mischaracterize anyone.
"Too much in policing in the world, there have been injustices of people being arrested with little to no information," Sayles said. "We want 100% accuracy when we make an arrest, if we need to make an arrest."
During the meeting, Sayles said he wanted to highlight the response moments after the shooting. He said there were 200 officers either on scene, or who responded, once the first gunshots were heard.
"Our officers responded to a chaotic scene, a scene that was ever-flowing at that time," he said. "They did an expectational job."
Sayles also said that while the loss of lives is tragic, the police response "saved many other lives."
The department's debrief of the response and aftermath is still not complete, Sayles said.
A more in-depth review will follow this briefing in September. Mayor Katie Wilson has also ordered the office of the inspector general to do an independent review on the city's response to the shooting, and how the city can be better prepared the next time there is a critical moment.
The next related meeting is scheduled for September 22. The chair of the Public Safety Committee, Bob Kettle, said he has also requested that former Chief Shon Barnes be brought in for a briefing as well.
