Thousand Oaks Mass Shooting Leaves 12 Dead and at Least 15 Injured

Details

Category: Crime

Published on Thursday, 08 November 2018 07:05

Written by Janet Walker

At least twelve patrons of a Thousand Oaks, California bar were killed after a lone gunman entered the local country & western favorite tossing smoker bombs and firing randomly into the packed college night crowd.

California Sheriff deputies arrived on the scene in minutes after the call of shoots fired. First on the scene, Sergeant Ron Helus a 29 year veteran of the force moved quickly to subdue the shooter was shot and killed during the exchange of gunfire. 

"It’s a bloody scene," Ventura County Sherriff Geoff Dean said during a press conference. He indicated the unidentified shooter was dead at the scene. It is not clear if the gunman was killed by arriving officers or a self-inflicted injury. He is not counted as a victim. The total of dead with the gunman is thirteen.

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Witness have described hearing the pop, pop, pop, which sounded like balloons popping at approximately 11:30PM (PST) and saw the shooter. One female described hearing 18-20 rounds at a time. Chaos ensued, as the shooter entered the front door, blocking the entrance, and began immediately shooting and tossing smokers into the crowd forcing them in the confusion to run for the front door. The bar’s bouncer was killed by the gunman on entry.

Although no weapons has been reported, it appears to the gunman used a semi-automatic weapon, a handgun and smoker bombs.

The Borderline Bar & Grill, Ventura country largest Country & Western dance hall, located in Thousand Oaks, a southern California suburb north of Los Angeles near Malibu, is popular with local college students from Pepperdine University and other local community colleges.

"Witness John Hedge told ABC News he was near the front door of the California bar when the shooting began. "I just started hearing these big pops. Pop pop pop. There was probably three or four. I hit the ground. I look up. The security guard ... was shot, he was down. The gunman was throwing smoke grenades all over the place. I saw him point to the back at the cash register and he just kept firing,"’ Reuters reported.

Approximately fifteen guests attending the regular college night gathering, including one with a gunshot wound, self-transported themselves to area hospitals. The majority suffered non-life threating injuries which happened as they were escaping the gunman.

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Pepperdine University stated on Twitter, "The University has determined that multiple Pepperdine students were on site at Borderline Bar and grill in Thousand Oaks. At this time, the University is working to identity and provide support to those students. A second accompanying message stated, "Pepperdine officials are working with authorities and will provide updates as more information is available, The university offers its deepest condolences and is praying for everyone involved in tonight’s tragic events."

The actions of Sergeant Ron Helus and first reponding officers were instrumental is slowly the shooter and throwing him off his game plan. 

No religious motive has been suggested as Pepperdine is a Christian College.

This is a developing story.