Texts reveal Jayapal’s doubts over Seattle mayor’s shooting response

Texts released this week show Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal telling Washington Governor Bob Ferguson that she was not confident Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson knew what she was doing during the response to a deadly shooting. The messages add to scrutiny of Wilson over a delay in sharing information with the public, and show doubts about her handling of the incident among fellow Democrats.

The shooting between rival gang members at Seattle’s Bite of Seattle festival on 26 July left three people dead and four injured. Jayapal’s message was sent shortly after 10pm, before she went to the Seattle Center for a public briefing; Wilson had told Ferguson earlier that a briefing would most likely take place that night. An assistant police chief later told the city council he was ready to speak at 7.30pm but had been asked to wait, while Jayapal said her messages reflected concern that the public had not yet received information. Wilson has since acknowledged the lack of communication was unacceptable and begun an independent review.