THOUSAND OAKS, California, Nov. 8, 2018, (Gephardt Daily) — Twelve victims and a gunman are dead and more than a dozen wounded after a gunman opened fire at a Thousand Oaks, California bar and dance club late Wednesday night.
Police say the lone assailant, identified as 28-year-old Ian David Long, shot his way into the Borderline Bar and Grill about 11:20 p.m., killing a bouncer and a cashier before firing into a crowd of about 200 people.
Witnesses told police that Long, who was dressed in a black trench coat, threw smoke grenades onto the dance floor as he began began shooting with what was described as a semi-automatic pistol with an extended clip.
Among the first killed was Sgt. Ron Helus, a 29-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, who was close to retirement. Helus had just ended a phone call with his wife, telling her he was needed at a crime scene. Helus entered the bar, confronted the shooter, and was shot multiple times.
Long, a Marine Corps veteran, ultimately turned the gun on himself, police say. He was found dead in an office area.
Survivors of the attack described a scene of chaos as patrons piled on top of each other while trying to force their way through a rear exit. Others threw chairs, trying to break out windows in order to escape.
Nearby hospitals have been inundated with the wounded, many of whom arrived on their own seeking help.
Authorities say a veteran Ventura County sheriff sergeant was among the dead. Sgt. Ron Helus reportedly made entry into the bar and confronted the shooter but was shot and fatally wounded.
Gephardt Daily is following this developing story and will provide an update as more information becomes available.
I will never, ever understand how anyone can take the lives of complete strangers. I don’t care what you are protesting, upset about, grieving for etc. Taking your pain out on innocents is not going to solve anything. It’s a selfish, cruel, pathetic and dispicable act that serves no one. My heart goes out to all the victims, their families and to the survivors. Their lives are forever changed .