California shooting: First victims named from Thousand Oaks bar massacre police identify gunman as Ian David Long
Twelve victims gunned down include Justin Meek, 23, Alaina Housley, 18, Cody Coffman, 22 and Sheriff's Sergeant Ron Helus
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Your support makes all the difference.Details are emerging of the identities of victims after at least 12 people were killed and around a dozen more injured in a mass shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California.
The shooting began late Wednesday night in the Borderline Bar & Grill, sending people diving under pool tables and other furniture for cover. Witnesses and victims said that stools were thrown through windows to enable bar patrons to get away from the hail of bullets.
A college country music night was underway when the gunman - dressed in black - shot a security guard who was standing outside the bar before entering. Witnesses suggested a smoke grenade may have been thrown.
Officials identified Ian David Long, of nearby Newbury Park, California, as the suspected shooter. Long was killed at the bar, and police said he carried out the massacre with a legal .45-calibre handgun that he had fitted with an extended magazine illegal in California. He had apparently shot himself.
Police first began identifying victims of the Thousand Oaks attack less than 12 hours after the gunman’s last shot rang out, including Sergeant Ron Helus, a 29-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. In a press conference on Thursday, Mr Dean praised the work of his office — including the sacrifice from Mr Helus — for working fast in response to the shooting at the packed college night bar. At least five off-duty law enforcement officers helped to protect people.
Cody Coffman, 22, was also killed, according to his father Jason. Mr Coffman broke down as he told reporters how his last words to his son as he went out that night were not to drink and drive and that he loved him. He added: “Oh Cody, I love you son.”
The family of 23-year-old Justin Meek said he was also killed, according to California Lutheran University President Chris Kimball, who said in a statement that Mr Meek ”heroically saved lives”.
Another victim, Alaina Housley was just 18, and was a promising student at Pepperdine University with plans to study law, her family said.
Other victims include Noel Sparks who was a youth camp leader and Moorpark College student. The death was announced by United Methodist Church Westlake Village. "It is with heavy hearts that we notify you that Noel Sparks was among the victims of last night's shooting. We grieve with Tony Sparks and Wendy Anderson," the church said in a statement.
Daniel Manrique, 33, was a Marine veteran and focused on helping other veterans adjust to civilian life, according to friends. “I have no doubt that he died a hero, shielding others from gunshots. He will forever be our hero, son, brother, and the best uncle anybody could ever ask for,” Gladys Manrique Kosack, a family member said.
Telemachus Orfanos was identified by his mother who said the he had survived the mass shooting in Las Vegas last year. Jake Dunham and Blake Dingman, both 21, were identified by local Los Angeles outlet ABC7.
Sean Adler, a bouncer at the bar and former wrestling coach at Simi Valley High School, perished in the California shooting and was remembered by the local wrestling community.
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Tia Mowry-Housley and her husband Adam have not yet announced any updates regarding the search for their niece, Alaina Housley, who may have been at the bar near her university the night of the shooting:
Eleven victims from the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, have been released from local hospitals.
- Eight victims were treated for minor injuries at Adventist Health Simi Valley
- Three victims were treated for minor injuries at St. John's Regional Medical Center, having suffered cuts while escaping the shooting.
California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in the wake of last night’s deadly shooting.
In his statement, Mr Newsom, who won the California governor's race in the midterms on Tuesday, said more must to be done to "address the root causes of these devastating acts at every level of government."
Thousand Oaks Mayor Andy Fox has pleaded for blood donors to step forward in the wake of last night’s mass shooting.
“Local hospitals need blood,” Mr Fox said, adding that injuries sustained were “quite severe in some cases.”
Officials are organizing a blood drive at a facility in the area due to the amount of donations needed.
Justin Meek, 23, was among the people killed in the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, according to California Lutheran University President Chris Kimball.
In a statement, Mr Kimball said Mr Meek was a recent graduate and "heroically saved lives in the incident."
"We will pray, begin to comfort one another in our grief, and hold the families, friends and loved ones of the victims in our hearts. Cal Lutheran wraps its arms around the Meek family and other families, and around every member of this community of caring," Kimball said in the statement.
One of the victims killed in the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting in Thousand Oaks, California has been identified as Alaina Housley by family members. They describe her as a "incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her."
Our hearts are broken. We just learned that our niece Alaina was one of the victims of last night’s shooting at Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks. Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner. We thank everyone for your prayers and ask for privacy at this time.
California Senator Dianne Feinstein has called for "stronger federal gun regulations" in the wake of the mass shooting in her state.
"Today we add Thousand Oaks to the ever-growing list of communities that have suffered mass shootings," she said in a statement. "These mass murders are depressingly pervasive. Schools. Theaters. Malls. Offices. Synagogues. Grocery stores. Bars. Concerts. Churches. They're inspired by racism, revenge, terrorism or just pure hatred. The one common attribute: easy access to guns."
Senator Bernie Sanders has posted the following statement as the identity of numerous victims began being released Thursday afternoon: “There is no magical or simple solution to the epidemic of gun violence in our country. The mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, California, tells us, however, that we must do everything possible to stop these never-ending tragedies.”
Marsha Blackburn, a newly-elected senator from Tennessee, had this initial reaction to the shooting massacre in California: “How do we make certain that we protect the Second Amendment and protect our citizens?”
Here's the latest on the victims and the lives they led before America's latest mass shooting, via the AP:
One was a veteran police officer who didn’t hesitate to run toward danger. Another was a young man who eagerly awaited the birth of his first sister and aimed to join the military. A third was a newly minted college graduate who worked with kids with developmental disabilities.
They were among a dozen people killed in a shooting at a country music bar in Southern California. Authorities believe the gunman, Ian David Long, ultimately killed himself.
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