Associated Press reports that at approximately 11:30 PM Wednesday night, a gunman dressed in all black, opened fire the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, CA. According to witnesses, the gunman killed the cashier and started throwing smoke bombs. 9 other customers were killed and many others wounded.
“The gunman was throwing smoke grenades all over the place,”
“I saw him point to the back of the cash register and he just kept firing. I ran out the front door.”
“I hear chairs being thrown out the window — people were trying to get out of the window,” Hedge said. “I don’t know how I didn’t get shot.”
LA Times reports, that Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Ron Helus, who was first on scene, was gunned down and later died at the hospital.
Sheriff Geoff also stated that the motive was not clear and there is no evidence linking the attack on terrorism.
“It’s a horrific incident,”, “It’s part of the horrors that are happening in our country and everywhere, and I think it’s impossible to put any logic or sense to the senseless.”
The unidentified Shooter was found dead along with the 11 other victims.
Sheriff Geoff stated in the following presser that the weapon was likely a handgun, and their is no evidence of “smoke bombs”.
Initial presser from Ventura County Sheriff’s department.
Update 1
President Trump sent a series of tweets in condolence.
I have been fully briefed on the terrible shooting in California. Law Enforcement and First Responders, together with the FBI, are on scene. 13 people, at this time, have been reported dead. Likewise, the shooter is dead, along with the first police officer to enter the bar….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2018
….Great bravery shown by police. California Highway Patrol was on scene within 3 minutes, with first officer to enter shot numerous times. That Sheriff’s Sergeant died in the hospital. God bless all of the victims and families of the victims. Thank you to Law Enforcement.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2018
Update 2
More information about Stg. Helus.
Ron Helus, a 29-year sheriff's office veteran planning to retire in the next year, was killed in a shooting at a California along with 11 other people >> https://t.co/xtesO0eA61 pic.twitter.com/jAGr5zvZui
— NBC12 WWBT Richmond (@NBC12) November 8, 2018
The tweet below has a snip where the Sheriff describes his heroic coworker.
Sgt. Ron Helus was "hardworking and dedicated…..He gave his all. Tonight, as I told his wife, he died a hero. He went in to save lives." — Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean https://t.co/rBZNbU8hWM #BorderlineBarShooting pic.twitter.com/5zWjaR4E8B
— KTVU (@KTVU) November 8, 2018
Captain Garo Kuredjian talks about Sgt. Helus with Local ABC 7 in this CNN tweet
"When he heard the gunfire, he ran in. He ran in and no doubt saved others… And that's what cops do. That's what he did.": Sgt. Ron Helus had been set to retire in the next year. He is among at least 12 killed in the Thousand Oaks shooting. https://t.co/WDmZrgvadj pic.twitter.com/s3p2JDKTdr
— CNN (@CNN) November 8, 2018
I apologize for this update being late.
Update 3
The shooter who CNN reports appears to have taken his own life after killing 11 people and a police officer, took his own life, has been identified by retiring Sheriff Geoff Dean as 28 year old Ian David Long. Long served in the Marines from 2008-2013, “according to Department of Defense records.”
The victims have not all been identified pending next of kin notification.
Ventura County sheriff says #Borderlineshooting suspect name is Ian David Long. He used a Glock-21 .45 caliber handgun with an extended magazine. No info on motive at this point.
Long had contact with a police crisis intervention team last April. pic.twitter.com/8v5xKJ1lvc
— 4th Qtr Mueller Time (@dwinfrey72) November 8, 2018
Crowds gathered to pay their respects as the officer Sgt. Ron Helus killed as he entered the building was transported from the scene.
Crowds of people lined up on the side of the road to show respect to Sgt. Ron Helus, the 29-year law enforcement veteran who was killed when he responded to #BorderLineShooting. Watch LIVE: https://t.co/o5c2gfQclI pic.twitter.com/dH1xQdd1wC
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) November 8, 2018
President Trump ordered the flag above the White House to be lowered in remembrance of the victims. CA Lt. Governor and Governor Elect Gavin Newsom also ordered the flags to be lowered in remembrance. Both their statements can be found via the CNN link.
We will be update the story as further information is available.
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