Rep. Jayapal questions Seattle mayor's handling of food festival shooting response

Progressive congresswoman Pramila Jayapal wrote to Governor Bob Ferguson that she was not confident in Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson’s ability to manage the aftermath of the July Bite of Seattle massacre, which left three dead and four wounded. The exchange revealed Jayapal’s frustration over a five-hour postponement of a public news conference, which she said was blamed on “dignitaries” rather than logistical issues. Police officials told the City Council they were ready to address the public but were instructed to wait for the mayor’s presence.

Jayapal later told reporters that any delay caused by the mayor’s arrival was measured in minutes, not hours. The governor’s office released the text messages as part of a larger communications dump. Wilson’s office declined to respond, while city officials emphasized ongoing efforts to improve public-safety communication and reduce gun violence.