WATCH: Seattle police chief defends out-of-town visits after mass shooting

(The Center Square) – The Seattle Center shooting that killed three people and injured five others has put the spotlight on Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes and his travel out of state.

Barnes was in Dallas attending the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives’ annual conference on Sunday when gunfire erupted at the Bite of Seattle annual food festival.

At a Tuesday press conference, he defended his trip and insisted other reports that he frequently travels out of Seattle on weekends weren’t accurate.

His remarks come as a 15-year-old gunman remains in custody in what was believed to be a gang fight with a 19-year-old who was killed in the gun battle.

Police are still looking for a second and possibly others involved in the gunfight.

Barnes missed a Sunday night press conference on the shootings, flying back that night from Dallas to attend a second press conference on Monday morning.

Barnes said he attended the conference because a Seat...