Sunday's shooting in Orlando has restarted a discussion about the prevalence of mass shootings throughout the country. Adding to that conversation is new footage from the 2014 Seattle Pacific University shooting, which killed one person and injured two others. The video, obtained from a surveillance camera on campus and released Tuesday by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, shows student safety monitor John Meis tackling and disarming shooter Aaron Ybarra after he shoots a student and starts reloading the gun.
In the footage, Ybarra shoots student Sarah Williams, who was wounded in the incident, according to the Seattle P-I. Shortly afterward, Meis enters the room with pepper spray, wrestles Ybarra to the ground, and walks out with the gun, leaving the gunman on the floor. He comes back while Ybarra is taking out a hunting knife and holds him down until a police officer comes and takes away the knife.
The footage is part of a collection of 18 DVDs that were released by the police after a long court battle, according to The Seattle Times. The victims' attorney argued that the videos could violate their privacy and inspire copycat killings, while the university's said they could help by alerting potential criminals about surveillance systems.
Ybarra has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and second-degree assault. Prosecutors are after a life sentence, according to Seattle P-I. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting a trial.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office did not immediately return Complex's request for comment.
