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.
Follow how events unfolded in our live blog below:
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This is just in from the White House:
HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY IN THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated in Thousand Oaks, California, on November 7, 2018, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, November 10, 2018. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.
DONALD J. TRUMP
The president of California State Channel Islands has confirmed that at least five of the school's students were present at the Ventura bar where a gunman killed a dozen people last night.
Here is her statement:
Dear Campus Community:
It is with a profoundly heavy heart that I write this morning with regard to the tragic mass shooting that that occurred during College Night at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks last night. This senseless tragedy resulted in at least 12 deaths and far more physical and psychological trauma.
Our hearts are broken and we extend our deepest condolences to all of the victims, their families, friends and, indeed, our entire community. As we process this tragedy, I ask that we all come together and find solace in supporting one another as we seek hope and light from the depths of our sadness.
Vice President Yao and I were both on the scene this morning and University Police is working collaboratively with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to assist and gain more information.
While details from the Ventura County Sherriff’s Office are still unfolding, we know that at least five CSUCI students were at the Borderline College Night. We have been in direct contact with each of them and each was able to make it back to campus safely.
If you have any information regarding a CI student who may have been present or impacted, please report that information immediately to the CARE Team so that we are able to provide support to any student in need.
I encourage any member of our campus community who is in need of support to seek assistance.
Our counselors are available through our Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) during open hours to see students. 24 hour psychological support is also available at 805-437-2088.
Counseling and support services are available to faculty and staff through the Employee Assistance Program.
Students may also require support outside of direct counseling (e.g., accommodations, notifications to faculty, withdrawals, questions, etc.). The Dean of Students office is available to assist in any of these matters at 805-437-8512.
We will continue to update the campus community as more information becomes available.
I invite you to join me so that we might find strength and unity during this heartbreaking time.
Sincerely,
Erika D. Beck, Ph.D.
President
California Senator Kamala Harris has responded to the bar shooting by urging congressional action on gun violence.
Here's a brief run dow of what we know about the suspected shooter:
- He used a handgun in the attack, and it was equipped with an extended magazine.
- He was a Marine Corps veteran, and as active from 2008 until 2013, according to the Department of Defense.
- His body was found in the bar, Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said.
- He had "minor" run-ins with law enforcement before, including one traffic collision. He was also the victim of battery twice — once in 2015 and once in April
Classes have been cancelled today at California Lutheran University, and some students were at Borderline Bar & Grill at the time of the shooting.
Here's what Karin Grennan, a university spokesperson, said in a statement:
"The Cal Lutheran community is grieving over what happened last night. We know some of our students were there".
The shooting in Thousand Oaks has led to some calls for action in Washington.
Former Representative Gabby Giffords has released the following statement following the Thousand Oaks shooting:
307. So far this year, there have been 307 mass shootings. Do we really want to raise our children in a country where mass shootings are a weekly occurrence? A country where every single day in America, more than 90 people are killed with guns? This level of gun violence doesn’t happen in any other high-income country. I'm heartbroken, I'm angry, and I’m never going to accept this as normal. My heart is with the victims of this terrible tragedy, their families, and the first responders who acted so courageously to bring this horror to an end.
Classrooms. Places of worship. Newsrooms. Movie theaters. Restaurants. Yoga studios. Nightclubs. Playgrounds. No place in America feels safe anymore.
We shouldn’t have to live in a country where our president and our lawmakers refuse to take any action to address this uniquely American crisis that’s causing so much horror and heartbreak. There are steps we can take to reduce gun violence, but for too long, too many of those with the power to change this have prioritized personal political gain before taking action to protect our children and communities.
Voters made clear Tuesday night that the days of the NRA blocking action to strengthen our gun laws are over. Now is the time to come together and pass legislation that will start putting our country back on the right track. Legislation that will prevent guns from landing in the wrong hands. Legislation that will save lives.
Violence Policy Centre Executive Director Josh Sugarmann issued the following statement:
Across our nation, the unthinkable is becoming almost routine. Gun massacres have become so common that the questions of who, what, where, and why are now followed by ‘where next’? While we grieve today for the victims and survivors, we must also demand action to rein in the gun industry to help prevent the next mass shooting. The Glock pistol used in this most recent attack is a prime example of how today’s gun industry innovates for lethality and markets weapons designed for law enforcement and military use to civilians.
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