Funds pour in for Seattle Pacific University shooting victims, hero
More than $60,000 has been donated online for the victims and hero of the shooting that left one dead and two injured at a small Seattle university.
As of Sunday afternoon, a fundraising page for Jon Meis, a student who pepper-sprayed and tackled the gunman Thursday at Seattle Pacific University, had grossed more than $44,000. A fundraising page to cover the costs of Paul Lee's funeral and Sarah Williams' medical care is nearing $13,000. Another page started by Williams' family had raised nearly $5,000. More donations are expected.
A lone gunman armed with a shotgun opened fire in a university building, killing Lee, 19, and wounding Williams, 19, who remains hospitalized. She was upgraded to stable condition Sunday evening at Harborview Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman said. The other injured student has been released from the hospital.
The suspect, Aaron Ybarra, 26, is being held without bail. Police said in court documents that Ybarra, who has no known connection to the university, was planning to kill as many people as he could before committing suicide. The quick action by Meis likely saved lives, police said.
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The outpouring of financial gifts and support followed days of mourning at the Christian university. By Sunday, college life was attempting to return to normal.
School officials said finals would continue next week, although they said professors can use other alternatives, such as year-end essays or take-home tests. The library was back open and a church service was scheduled for Sunday evening.
"We recognize, however, that in light of the events of this week some of you may not be able to sit for your exams. Consequently, we have asked the faculty to be very generous in offering alternative arrangements," school officials wrote.
They noted that Otto Miller hall, where the shooting occurred, would remain closed and any finals scheduled there would be moved.
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Online:
GoFundMe page for Jon Meis: http://bit.ly/1uARZQz
GoFundMe page for Sarah Wiliams: http://bit.ly/1mqtfUJ
GiveForward page for Paul Lee: http://bit.ly/1oIGnqX