4 shot at Seattle Pacific University

Geeky Swedes Ballard

9 p.m. Latest update from the SPD blotter:

A 26-year-old gunman opened fire on the Seattle Pacific University campus Thursday afternoon, killing one and injuring two others.

At 3:23 PM, police received a report of a gunman at Otto Miller Hall, just north of 3rd Avenue and W. Nickerson Street.

The suspect fired several rounds from a shotgun and began reloading his weapon when a student building monitor heroically intervened. The monitor, a man in his 20s, pepper sprayed the suspect before tackling him to the ground. Several bystanders also seized upon the suspect—who was also carrying a knife and additional ammunition—and took his gun.

Police arrived within four minutes of the first report of the shooting and called for medics, who arrived on scene and began transporting their first patient less than 10 minutes after the first 911 call.

Medics transported a man in his 20s with critical injuries to Harborview Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds.

Medics also transported a second woman in her 20s, also with critical injures, a man in his 20s with pellet wounds to his neck and chest—he is currently in stable condition—and another man in his 20s with minor injuries sustained during the struggle with the suspect.

As police began searching the campus, SPU staff implemented the school’s active-shooter emergency plan, previously developed by school security and Seattle police, alerting students and staff to shelter in place. Police SWAT teams swept through the campus, and found a number of students and faculty members hiding in classrooms and offices.

Amidst the chaos of the incident, police had received reports of a second suspect, but officers and detectives have determined the gunman acted alone.

So far, police have not found any connection between the suspect, Seattle Pacific University or any of the victims. Detectives are searching additional locations for evidence in the case, and plan to book the suspect into the King County Jail for Investigation of Murder.

6:30 p.m. According to The Seattle Times, SPD Captain Chris Fowler confirmed that a student, who is a building monitor, “subdued” the gunman as he stopped to reload. Other students then helped to hold the suspect down until SPD officers arrived. Captain Fowler confirmed that at some point someone also sprayed the gunman with pepper spray.

 

5:50 p.m. SPD have confirmed that a 20-year-old male victim has died at Harborview Medical Center. See more information from the SPD blotter post just released below:

One person was killed and three others injured Thursday afternoon after a lone gunman opened fire with a shotgun at Seattle Pacific University. Police have one suspect in custody, an adult male who was subuded after being pepper-sprayed by a student security guard. No one else is being sought in connection with the shooting.

All of the victims were taken to Harborview Medical Center. One 20-year-old male victim died at the hospital. Another male victim was reported in stable condition. In addition, one woman had life threatening injuries and another woman was reported in stable condition. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

5:45 p.m. Statement from Mayor Ed Murray: “Our nation is facing an epidemic of senseless gun violence and Seattle is sadly not immune. And our thanks are with Seattle’s first responders, whose skills and training were called upon today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, the victims’ families & the entire Seattle Pacific University community.”

Statement from King County Executive Dow Constantine: “It’s devastating to see the national epidemic of shooting rampages return to King County. It is time for all good people — responsible gun owners included — to rise up and end this madness.”

 

5:30 p.m. Transit Update: King County Metro confirms that Route 13 is the only route that continues to be rerouted.  A shuttle is also operating northbound via Queen Anne Av N & 3rd Av W between W Mercer St & W Florentia St. Click here for updates on King County Metro service changes.

5:02 p.m. The Otto Miller building has been secured. SPD confirm that a lone suspect entered the building and shot four victims. As the suspect began reloading a student disarmed him. The gunman is now in custody.

 

4:52 p.m. SPU says all evening classes canceled. Scene is less urgent than before. Police focused on a possible suspect vehicle, a white pickup parked nearby. Mayor headed to the scene.

 

4:44 p.m. Traffic update: Nickerson is open westbound to 3rd Ave N, then detoured south on 3rd Ave/Florentia St around SPU Campus. Also: Metro Route 62 rerouted off W Nickerson St., will instead operate via NW 45th St, Leary Way NW, NW 36th St and the Fremont Bridge.

4:38 p.m. SPD says SWAT is still clearing buildings. SPU statement: “SPU is in lockdown now. We will be releasing prompt updates as the facts are confirmed. Our heartfelt prayers are with our entire community.”

 

4:33 p.m. Traffic along the south side of the Ship Canal is either shut down, diverted or a mess. Metro’s route 13 is rerouted off 3rd Av W and W Nickerson St. Blaine, Queen Anne, Coe and John Hay elementary schools have had buses returned because of blocked off roads, reports KOMO. Here’s a live-updating look at 4th and Dexter near the Fremont Bridge:

4:20 p.m. Seattle Fire says 4 gunshot victims: male & female with life threatening injuries and 2 males in stable at Harborview Medical Center.

 

4:15 p.m. SPD: 1 in custody and no other suspects being sought.

4:03 p.m. KIRO reports 10 ambulances visible at the scene. Both Seattle Country Day School and North Queen Anne Daycare are in lockdown.

 

3:57 p.m. This search for a second suspect is delaying medics from attending to the injured, says Seattle Times. Aerial images show medics waiting outside with stretchers.

 

3:52 p.m. Police say they’re searching for “second suspect” although no confirmation one exists. Described as “white male, long sleeve blue shirt with vertical stripes armed with handgun.”

 

3:45 p.m. 4 victims discovered, says SPD. 2 were found at Otto Miller Hall. No word on their conditions. 6 medics on scene.

3:35 p.m. Seattle Police say they’ve found two victims after a shooting at Seattle Pacific University in North Queen Anne. One person is in custody, SPD says. Shooting reported at Nickerson and 3rd. Streets closed.

Campus in lockdown. Nearby North Queen Anne Childcare also in lockdown.

More coming…

Geeky Swedes

The founders of My Ballard

11 thoughts to “4 shot at Seattle Pacific University”

  3. i also pass through this area almost daily…took dravus home rather than nickerson today and saw a firetruck, ems, and eventually a police car hauling in that direction…

    i hope everyone makes it through this alive.

  5. “We need to take mental health more seriously.”

    Most of these time these kids had plenty of access to mental health care. They chose not to accept it.

    Bring back involuntary lockup.

  8. “We need to take mental health more seriously.”

    How is this possible in a school that encourages their students to do things like talk to an all powerful invisible man?

  9. @8 Ever been to SPU? This atheist finds them to be the most respectful, polite, engaged people in the city. I’ll take them over 90% of college kids in this town.

  10. @Jimmy Rustler
    you attack God Yet this Country didn’t have these problems when God Was allowed in schools

    Bring God Back into the schools & God will bring your kids home, we act so shocked when these things happen, WHY? why are we shocked, we are spiritually inept, theres proof staring us in the face but we choose to not see it, we have made our bed God lets us sleep in it, we as a nation are complaining about our kids yet we arent even being adults, we give our kids phones and Ipads to entertain them, while our park swing sets look like ghost town, we let our kids watch r rated films where people kill others and much worse, we tell ourselves that we are teaching our kids how to be independant, and we wonder why there is no family in your family, we used to pray at the dinner table as family but instead we all zone out staring at the TV while eating, the list goes on – you give me a problem with your family and ill tell where it starts – But you wont admit im rite about anything because us Americans would have to get off our asses and stop the attitude of laziness, and instant self gratification

  11. We need to take mental health more seriously.”

    How is this possible in a school that encourages their students to do things like talk to an all powerful invisible man?

    The important thing about this tragedy is that it gives “Jimmy Rustler” an opportunity to dickishly preen about his superiority to religious people. Well done, Jimmy. Timely, tasteful and extremely appropriate.

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