November 8, 2018 Law enforcement officials in California say thirteen people are dead after a masked gunman opened fire inside a packed nightclub early Wednesday night.
The suspected gunman, Ian Long, 29, is believed to have used a .45-caliber handgun and a smoke bomb in the shooting. Witnesses say a gunman wearing a long black trench coat stormed the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, and opened fire seemingly randomly. The shooter said nothing before firing several shots from a handgun and throwing smoke bombs into the crowded bar.
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Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean confirmed that 13 people were killed in the shooting, including Ventura County sheriff’s Sergeant Ron Helus and the gunman. Sergeant Helus responded to the scene and was shot after he entered the building. He died at a hospital early Thursday.
Ian Long was found dead inside the bar, Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said. It is not known whether the shooting is an act of terrorism
“Nothing has led me to believe or the FBI there is a terrorism link here. We certainly will look at that option.”
In April, police and mental health specialists were called to Long’s home after a disturbance but he was not committed. Long had no criminal history except for a minor traffic infraction.
Ian Long served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2008 and 2013 and toured Afghanistan. He earned several awards, including two Navy Meritorious Unit Commendations, a Combat Action Ribbon, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan. The circumstances of his departure are not known, but he climbed to the rank of Corporal before he left the armed forces.
Police have not yet established a motive in the shooting.