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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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.
Thousand Oaks shooting: in pictures
Show all 10Daniel 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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Police have raised the number of casualties from six to 11 and fear the number could rise.
Police vehicles block an intersection in the vicinity of the shooting in Thousand Oaks, California (KABC via AP)
Nick Steinwender, student body president at nearby California Lutheran University, rushed to the scene when he heard about a shooting at the bar, where he knew friends and fellow students were.
"It was chaos, people jumping out of windows, people hopping over gates to get out" Mr Steinwender told KABC-TV.
He said he heard from people inside that they were hiding in bathrooms and the attic of the bar.
Police and fire services have said the scene of the shooting is secure, but have provided no information about the location of the suspected shooter.
Teylor Whittler, a witness who was in the bar at the time of the shooting, told ABC7: “I was on the dance floor dancing at the time. I heard the gunshot, turned around and saw him shoot a couple more times.
"Within a split second everyone yelled ‘get down’. I ran to where the back door is, and everyone dog-piled on top of each other.
"It was silent for a couple of seconds and then all of a sudden a couple of guys started running to the back door and said ‘get up he’s coming’.
"It was a huge panic, everyone tried getting up, and some guy came behind me, lifted me up and said ‘let’s go’. I got a bar stool thrown at my head because they were trying to use it to get out.”
The number of injured is likely to increase, police have said. "That number's going to go up from 11," a police public information officer said.
"We are confident that there is no active shooter at this point. The scene is safe," he added.
The suspect was "engaged and neutralised" by police, the mayor of Thousand Oaks told local media outlet KTLA.
Father takes daughter away from scene of Thousand Oaks shooting
Another witness, John Hedge, said he heard at least 12 shots and saw the suspect throwing smoke grenades.
"I was at the front door and I was talking to my stepdad. I just started hearing these big pops. Pop, pop, pop. There was probably three or four, I hit the ground," he told ABC7.
"I look up - the security guard is dead. Well, I don't want to say he was dead, but he was shot. He was down.
"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."
He added: "I thought it was a joke when the shots started firing."
There were "multiple fatalities" in the shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill, Ventura County Sheriff Sergeant Eric Buschow said.
He confirmed the gunman is dead inside the bar.
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