Video released Tuesday shows the moment a student disarmed a gunman after he had opened fire at Seattle Pacific University in June 2014.
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The video, released Tuesday by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, includes the so-called “three-minute video”, which shows a man identified by police as Aaron Ybarra shoot a student before being wrestled to the floor by another student in Otto Miller Hall. As the gunman breaks open his double-barreled shotgun to reload, Meis sprays him in the eyes and tackles him, pulling the shotgun out of his hands. Ybarra rolls around before Meis returns, grabbing him again in a headlock before another man helps subdue Ybarra.
First court appearance: Shooting suspect Aaron Ybarra, left, is led in chains to a court hearing at a King County Jail courtroom Friday, June 6, 2014, in Seattle. Ybarra’s trial is set to begin in September for first-degree murder and other charges.
Video of the 2014 Seattle Pacific University was released in June 2015.
One of the recently released videos shows everything Jon Meis did.
The new video then shows Meis lunging at Ybarra, tackling him to the ground.
At the moment the woman who is shot turns to leave the room, Meis can be seen running into the lobby, approaching Ybarra from behind. The two students seen studying at separate tables also flee the room at that time.
The state Court of Appeals in December upheld a ruling ordering the footage released under Washington’s Public Records Act.
At the time of the shooting, Seattle police praised Meis, a student monitor in the building, saying he “heroically intervened”.
Ybarra later described to police how he had planned the shooting.
Ybarra claimed to have visited the campus before the incident and convinced two female students to give him a private tour.
All of this happened at Seattle Pacific University.
University officials and the victims’ families tried to fight the release of surveillance footage, citing privacy concerns and fears the video could inspire other shootings..
Ybarra had a long history of mental illness and told police after his arrest that he had stopped taking his medications.
He was charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of second-degree assault.
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Tonight, we’re seeing new video of a hero trying to stop a killer. Seattle Pacific University remains strong and resilient as a result of God’s faithfulness to us.
