Jon Meis has been named as the hero who disarmed the shooter at Seattle Pacific University on Thursday afternoon.
Meis, 22, was sitting at a desk in the lobby at the university when police say Aaron Ybarra walked in with a shotgun and a handgun around 3:30 p.m. PDT.
Ybarra shot at least four people before stopping to reload his weapons.
That’s when Meis rushed over and sprayed Ybarra with pepper spray.
Then Meis put him in a chokehold and subdued him while other students and faculty members rushed to his aid. They collectively held Ybarra until police arrived.
Students took to social media to thank Meis for his quick thinking, which likely saved others from being killed.
“I’m proud of the selfless actions that my roommate, Jon Meis, showed today taking down the shooter,” said Matt Garcia. “He is a hero.”
“God bless you #JonMeis. Your pepper spray and courage saved lives,” added Ada Stollsteimer. “Your actions will empower others. Take care.”
Jon Meis is taken from the shooting scene by medics at Seattle Pacific University on Thursday, June 5, 2014 in Seattle. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Dean Rutz)
Jon Meis is taken from the shooting scene by medics at Seattle Pacific University on Thursday, June 5, 2014 in Seattle. (AP Photo/The Seattle Times, Dean Rutz)
(Facebook)
(Facebook)
Seattle police echoed those thoughts, as well as school officials.
“He saved lives,” university president Daniel Martin told Q13.
Meis often carries around the pepper spray with him because he likes to be prepared, roommate Ryan Salgado told the Seattle Times.
He said that Meis seemed to be in shock after what happened though he was not injured.
Salgado and others described Meis as an athletic engineering student who enjoys running and is involved with the student government.
Family friend Andrew Engstrom called him “physically and spiritually strong.”
“He’s kind of under the radar, a serious student but he’s always nice to everyone,” classmate Rebekah Ogimachi added.
“It doesn’t surprise me that he would step in to do something like that. He’s a selfless guy.”
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Facebook, Myspace Photos of Aaron Ybarra; Shooting Suspect Was Reportedly Obsessed with Columbine
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