WHAT A MESS: Texts reveal Katie Wilson’s staff calling the shots during Bite of Seattle mass shooting response.

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.”

To be fair, when Wilson did finally appear, she hardly covered herself in glory.