Seattle’s police chief erupted at a reporter after being pressed on why he wasn’t in the city during Sunday night’s horrific mass shooting. 

Gunfire erupted at a food festival near Seattle’s Space Needle, killing three people before police arrested a 15-year-old suspect. 

The heated confrontation came after Police Chief Shon Barnes and Mayor Katie Wilson wrapped up a Monday morning press conference updating the public on the shooting. 

Barnes lost his cool after South Seattle Emerald reporter Connor Nash questioned why he wasn’t at the city’s initial Sunday evening press conference. 

In a video posted on X by independent reporter Jonathan Choe, the two were face-to-face as Barnes fired back: ‘Let me tell you something. I don’t have to tell you where I go. I had a medical procedure on Friday.’

‘I have been here working as hard as I can for this city, from the day I got here. You  got that?’ Barnes lashed.

Nash then responded: ‘But there are reports that you’re not in town often,’ to which the chief said: ‘The reports are wrong, do you understand?’

As the reporter attempted a follow-up, a staff member intervened, repeatedly urging Barnes, ‘Let’s go,’ as he ushered the chief away. 

Police now say there were at least three suspects involved in the shootout, one of them was among those killed in the violence.

In a document filed in juvenile court in Seattle, where a 15-year-old arrested in the case did not appear for a scheduled initial appearance Monday, police said they believe there were at least three shooters, rather than two: the 15-year-old; an acquaintance who died at the scene; and ‘at least one other unknown suspect.’

‘Based on the evidence at the scene, investigators believe’ the 15-year-old ‘and one of the deceased engaged in a gunfight with at least one other unknown suspect,’ the document said.

The teen was being held in juvenile detention for investigation of firearms violations and first-degree assault ahead of the scheduled court appearance, Mayor Katie Wilson said at a news conference.

It was not immediately clear why the teen did not appear in court.

Shots were fired on Sunday at 6pm in the waning hours of the Bite of Seattle, leaving three people dead and at least four others injured. 

Two people died at the scene and a third died at a hospital. They were described as two men, ages 19 and 44, and a woman, 56.

The four wounded included a two-year-old boy, who was in satisfactory condition Monday. 

The others – two men, ages 23 and 27, and a woman, 39 – were discharged, a hospital spokesperson said.

One of the victims was walking a bicycle when struck, the court document said. The toddler was with his mother.

The annual three-day festival draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers to Seattle Center, a sprawling park and event space in the shadow of the Space Needle.

Many attendees rushed into campus buildings or ran from the park at the sound of the shots.