One man was killed and three other people were injured when a lone gunman opened fire with a shotgun Thursday afternoon on the campus of Seattle Pacific University, in Seattle, Washington.
The four victims were received at Harborview Medical Center in varying conditions, according to hospital spokeswoman Susan Gregg. One 20-year-old man arrived in critical condition and died shortly after arrival. A young female patient was reported to be in critical condition after undergoing surgery, while two other young victims, one male and one female, were described as being in stable condition.
Police have the suspect, an adult man, in custody. No other suspects are being sought in connection with the shooting.
NBC News reports that the gunman entered Otto Miller Hall, the campus engineering and math building, and shot four people with a shotgun before stopping to reload. A student security guard then pepper-sprayed and subdued the shooter. The man was held down by other students who pinned him to the ground until the authorities arrived, Seattle police Detective Renee Witt said.
“Today should have been a day of celebration instead of a day of tragedy and loss,” Seattle Mayor Ed Murray said Thursday night. “Once again the epidemic of gun violence has come to Seattle.” “To see gun violence erupt at a place of higher education shocks all of us,” Washington state Governor Jay Inslee said in a statement. “Our schools should be safe havens. And so should our homes, our streets and our workplaces. We need to do more to prevent violence throughout our state.” “There is much we don’t yet know about today’s shooting,” the governor said. “But tonight it is clear that amidst the heartbreak, SPU has shown that it is a community that lives by its mission to serve others. There were students who put themselves in real danger to protect classmates from further violence and to aid and comfort the victims. Those selfless and brave acts should remind us of the indomitable spirit of young people. “
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