SPU President: We will mourn and push ahead

SEATTLE -- As Seattle Pacific University students, faculty and the city as a whole collects itself following Thursday's tragic shooting, SPU President Daniel J. Martin said the time to mourn is now.

"It's time to put thought and prayer on the victims and those who have been directly affected by this," Martin said.

A 19-year-old man died following the shooting. Nineteen-year-old Sarah Williams  is still in critical care at Harborview Medical Center, and a 24-year-old Thomas Fowler is in satisfactory condition.

The victims will certainly be in the prayers of students, faculty and family when SPU holds a Memorial Service for the slain victim Friday, Martin said. So too will thoughts of moving ahead.

"The actions of the shooter do not define SPU. The students the faculty and community define SPU," the SPU Psychology staff said in a Tweet Friday.

The service will be held at noon Friday at the First Free Methodist Church in the 3200 block of Third Avenue West. It will also be streamed live at the Fine Center at the Church and Upper Gwinn Commons on campus.

Martin said all classes for Friday are canceled. Staff are asked to keep their regular hours, and faculty are asked to come to campus and make themselves available to students to chat. Support

counselors will be available on Upper Gwinn and the Collegium during the day Friday, officials said. Faculty or staff members who would like to talk with a counselor should contact Gary Womelsduff. The Queen Anne Room in Upper Gwinn will be available for quiet prayer throughout the day.

Seattle University students are also holding a vigil for the college down the road, and will gather in front of the Reflecting Pool on the Capitol Hill campus at 3:15 to honor the SPU community.

Otto Miller Hall, where the shooting occurred, is closed and will remain closed for the time being.

On social media, the hashtag PrayForSPU is trending, with many sharing a specific symbol across Twitter.

Commencement for graduating seniors is still scheduled for Friday June 13.