Text messages obtained by broadcaster KIRO 7 have revealed chaotic infighting among Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson's staff following a mass shooting at the Seattle Center in July that left three people dead. The exchanges show officials debating how to respond while appearing more concerned with managing media perception than with public safety, prompting local residents to call for the mayor's dismissal.

According to the messages, Wilson appeared preoccupied with how outlets such as KOMO might portray her, at one point suggesting they would "love to spin an 'absent mayor' story." Her office also released a statement containing incorrect information, wrongly stating two suspects were in custody when only one had been apprehended, an error later dismissed by a staffer as "s**t happens." Staff reportedly criticised the Seattle Police Department for a hours-long delay in updates, while Wilson herself did not attend the press conference until around 11pm, arriving after Washington Governor Bob Ferguson and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, even though the press had been told the delay was due to waiting for "dignitaries."