Seattle detective slams city over 5-hour mass shooting briefing response

SEATTLE - Seattle officials faced criticism for taking nearly five hours to hold a news conference after the Bite of Seattle mass shooting on July 26. However, one official disputed the city's response and called it "not accurate." 

In a newly email obtained by FOX 13 Seattle, Seattle Police Department Detective Brian Pritchard revealed that the official contradiction is inaccurate and hurts his professional credibility with media contacts. Pritchard, who responded to the scene, expressed frustration over the conflicting accounts given to the public regarding the delay.

Keep reading to find out what was communicated in Prichard's email, and what the city has said.

Controversy over press conference delay

What we know:

Members of the media were initially told that a press conference would be held near the Space Needle around 9:45 p.m., prompting a swarm of reporters to gather outside the taped-off Seattle Center campus.

However, hours passed without any updates as unverified claims spread across social media. 

In a statement, Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said that two suspects were in custody, when there was in fact, was only one suspect detained.

Dig deeper:

On the night of the shooting, Prichard told waiting media that the briefing was delayed to wait for "dignitaries" to arrive. The press conference finally began around 10:45 p.m., led by Seattle police Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis. 

At the time of the initial press conference, Chief Barnes was in Dallas attending the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives Conference.

City leaders faced sharp criticism after waiting nearly five hours to hold a press conference following the shooting. 

Mayor Wilson was also criticized for prematurely stating that two suspects were in custody when only one suspect had been arrested. 

At a second press conference at City Hall the morning after the shooting, Wilson addressed the delay, stating, "My office put out a statement at 8:30, which again, included an initial inaccuracy. So, again, this speaks to the tension between providing information early and providing it accurately." Wilson added, "So we, along with SPD, were trying to manage that tension, and we got information out to you all as soon as we possibly could."

Internal SPD email reveals department frustration

Mayor Wilson repeatedly denied that her team or city officials caused delays in releasing information to the public after the violence broke out.

What they're saying:

In the obtained email, to department leadership, Pritchard cited internal frustration over inaccurate messaging about delayed press briefings.

He also requested vacation time running through Aug. 3 to "decompress after the Seattle Center shooting incident."

Pritchard wrote that he was struggling with official messaging following the July 26 briefing. 

He noted that subsequent statements incorrectly claimed the briefing was not delayed for dignitaries. 

"This is not accurate. And the conflicting information impacts my credibility with my media colleagues," Pritchard wrote, adding that the time away would allow him to "reset, recharge, and come back focused and ready to move forward."

Councilmembers seek answers

During a Seattle City Council Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, Councilmember Debora Juarez questioned why Pritchard was not present to testify.

Alison Holcomb, Mayor Wilson's public safety director, stated that Interim Police Chief Andre Sayles informed committee leaders that Pritchard would not be attending. Holcomb later clarified outside council chambers that she did not order the detective not to appear.

Pritchard confirmed to FOX 13 News that he was never informed about the committee meeting, but noted he would have attended and spoken had he known.

What they're saying:

Councilmember Bob Kettle, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, emphasized the necessity of hearing from officers, and specifically Pritchard, who were on the ground during the incident.

"It's going to the facts of the circumstances," Kettle said. "Nobody is going to be thrown under the bus. We're not going to allow that. It'll be what it'll be."

Inspector general review underway

Mayor Wilson's office responded to an inquiry from FOX 13 News about the email, stating the matter has been referred to the Office of Inspector General for a formal review.

City officials indicated they will determine next steps once the Inspector General's investigation is complete.

The City Council's Public Safety Committee is scheduled to hold another meeting on Sept. 22. Kettle expects both Pritchard and Assistant Chief Tyrone Davis, who were both on scene the night of the shooting, to appear.

Bite of Seattle shooting investigation

The backstory:

Three people were killed, and five others were injured in a shooting at Seattle Center on the northwest side of The Armory during the Bite of Seattle event at 6 p.m. 

Those killed were identified as 19-year-old Junior Cee Niko Semo, 44-year-old Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba and 56-year-old Ashley Whitehead. Five other victims were taken to the hospital and later discharged.

Court documents revealed the following day that police believed a 15-year-old suspect was involved in a gunfight with Semo.

Days following the shooting, Wilson accepted the resignation of Chief Shon Barnes and appointed Deputy Chief Andre Sayles to lead the department on an interim basis.

MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE

Seattle teriyaki shop owner to receive $40k from Uber Eats after months of payment delays

WA hunters called upon for input on potential rule changes about moose, elk and more

Seattle-bound flight delayed following 'customer disturbance' involving threats

Here's where fires in Washington state are burning

Recent earthquake: Magnitude 3.3 quake near Yakima, WA

53 cats rescued from abandoned boat, taken to Tacoma shelter

To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.

Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.