Seattle College Students Affected by Shooting Turn to Prayer

A Sad Day for Seattle
A Sad Day for Seattle

Students, teachers and parents turned to prayer for perspective following yesterday's horrific shooting at Seattle Pacific University.

First Free Methodist Church, located just outside the University's campus, held a vigil to commemorate the victims and pray for their families and friends.

Hundreds of participants held candles and sang hymns. So many people crowded into the building that dozens of people gathered on a lawn near the church and formed their own groups as the sun set.

University President Dan Martin tweeted, "Grateful for the love and prayers of so many around the globe. Please continue to pray for the impacted students and family."

Aaron R. Ybarra opened fire on the University's campus, killing one person and wounding two before being taken down by a student security guard identified as John Meis.

Meis, 22, used pepper spray to subdue Ybarra after he allegedly shot several students and was reloading his weapon, officials told ABC News affiliate KOMO.

Police reported that several other people jumped on top of the gunman and pinned him down until officers arrived.

"There are a number of heroes in this," Assistant Police Chief Paul McDonagh said at a press conference. "The people around him (the gunman) stepped up."

Meis, along with the injured victims, were taken to Harborview Medical Center.Hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg said today that Meis was released and was unharmed but said, "Obviously he's undergoing mental anguish."

"There were no visible injuries. It was, I think, coming to grips with what happened, the trauma of seeing what happened to his fellow students," Gregg said.

Victims included a 19 year old male who died from his injuries.. A female student, 19, was listed in critical but stable condition with shotgun pellets in her chest and abdomen. A male student, 24, had pellets in his neck and chin, but could be released this weekend, she said.

Ybarra, 26, is being held without bail in King County Jail on homicide charges, according to jail records.

According to reports, officers raced to the scene shortly after the shooting. The university locked down its campus for several hours, and it alerted students and staff to stay inside.

Multiple shots were fired, and the gunman had additional rounds, McDonagh said. Authorities said they still aren't sure of the gunman's motive or intended target.

"But for the great response by the people of Seattle Pacific, this incident might have been much more tragic," he said.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.