Texts reveal Katie Wilson’s staff calling the shots during Bite of Seattle mass shooting response

The records reviewed by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI provide a behind-the-scenes look at City Hall following the July 26 shooting at Seattle Center, where three people were killed and several others were wounded.

Within minutes, Wilson’s staff knew they were potentially dealing with a mass shooting. Yet the communications show Wilson’s senior aides, rather than Wilson herself, repeatedly debating how the mayor and her administration should respond publicly.

At 6:36 pm, one staffer noted, “Mayors have historically shown up to mass shooting scenes when they stabilize FYI. Just wouldn't want to draw a comparison.”

Another responded, “The stabilization part is the key.”

Hours later, as aides debated whether Wilson should appear at Seattle Center or Harborview Medical Center, one pleaded, “I reaaaaaaally think the mayor should go down there.”

Another pushed back: “What's the point? Harborview, where victim's families are, makes more sense, and I'm not sure that makes sense.”

The aide then disparaged the media while arguing against Wilson going to the scene. “Media aren't looking for an in-depth conversation about gang violence, they're looking for sound bites,” the message said. “Good time for the Mayor to be letting first responders do their jobs and not be armchair quarterbacking.”

Another message added, “I really don't like elected politicians showing up to trauma and drawing attention to themselves.”

The texts show Wilson’s senior staff repeatedly discussing where she should go, when she should appear, who should speak, and how City Hall should handle reporters, with little input from the mayor herself.

Wilson’s own texts also reveal concern over media optics. As KOMO News reporter Chris Daniels tried to reach her, Wilson told staff, “Chris Daniel’s is calling me, fyi,” then said KOMO was reporting that she and City Council members were expected at Seattle Center. “We should consider whether I should come down to talk to KOMO, if that expectation has been created,” Wilson wrote. “I’m sure they would love to spin an ‘absent mayor’ story.”

Rather than decide to go, Wilson again asked her aides what she should do. Deputy Mayor Brian Surratt responded, “I’m inclined to have you come down.” Another staffer agreed.

Wilson then asked whether her Executive Protection Unit should pick her up immediately or whether she should wait until after an internal briefing. “Wait until you’ve finished this briefing so you can say you’ve been briefed and provide accurate information,” Public Safety Director Alison Holcomb told her.

Later, after officials learned SPD planned a media appearance, Holcomb wrote, “SPD is doing media at 9:45. I’ve let them know Mayor needs to be part of it. They’re working on it.”

Wilson again asked for direction: “Ok so I should call EPU and head down now?”

“Yes, get EPU and go,” Holcomb responded.

The records also show officials believed the shooting was gang-related, information that still had not been fully disclosed publicly. Officials also learned that the 19-year-old initially counted among those killed was believed to have been one of the shooters.

Internal briefing materials also indicated investigators were looking for up to two additional suspects who remained at large, but that information was not released publicly. Seattle officials have still not provided a full accounting of the suspected gang affiliations involved or the status of all additional suspects described in the records.

The texts also raise questions about why the public waited roughly five hours for an official media briefing. At 7:41 pm, Wilson texted Gov. Bob Ferguson that officials were “pulling together a conference call now, and most likely a public conference later tonight.”

Ferguson immediately responded: “I can be there by 9pm.” Nine minutes later, Wilson’s staff announced, “External briefing that can be shared out is set for 9pm. Chief will be there to share update.” But the 9 pm event became a briefing for elected officials rather than the public.

City Hall was also controlling who could participate. When additional Seattle City Council members were discussed, staff said, “No other CMs because don't want a quorum.” By 9:26 pm, staff believed a media briefing was scheduled for 9:45 pm. “SPD told me the 945 is a media brief,” one message said.

But the briefing did not begin until approximately 10:45 pm. At about 9:57 pm, Surratt wrote: “Waiting on Gov and Jayapal.”

The texts do not show who ordered the delay, but they show City Hall officials knew reporters were being told the press conference was being held for “dignitaries,” while staff themselves wrote that they were waiting for Ferguson and Rep. Pramila Jayapal.

Wilson’s administration apparently expected questions about the delay. Talking points prepared for a subsequent press conference included: “Why did it take so long to start the event last night?”

The prepared response blamed the evolving investigation. “Investigations are continuingly evolving during the first hours, and information can change by the minute,” it read. “It was important to confirm as many facts as possible so up-to-date and accurate information could be shared with the media and public.”

The records also reveal another potential failure in communicating with the public. At 3:50 pm the following day, a mayoral staff message said officials were “trying to run to ground why an AlertSeattle alert didn't go out last night.”