A gunman raided a bar in the southern California town
of Thousand Oaks on Wednesday night, leaving both dead and wounded. According
to police, 13 people were killed in the incident, including the suspect and a
police officer who was called to attend the incident. Police estimated that
between 10 and 15 people were injured.
About 100 people, including
several Pepperdine University students, would be at the bar where a country
music show was held when a man shot himself at around 11.30 pm on Wednesday
(5:30 p.m. on Thursday). There have been reports that
at least 30 have been heard.
Scenes of panic were reported
by those at the Borderline Bar & Grill during the College Country Night
party, which brings together college students. There
are reports that there was smoke in the place. Many people broke the windows to
try to escape. Others tried to hide in the bathrooms.
'Blood
everywhere'
Sheriff Geoff Dean described
the scene inside the bar as "horrible." "There is blood
everywhere," he said, but said he had avoided getting close so as not to
undermine the investigators' work.
The suspect has
not yet been identified, but police believe he has acted alone. His
body was found at the scene with gunshot wounds, but it is not yet known who
would be responsible for the shot.
'Hero'
Ron Helus, who served for 29
years with the police, was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the crime
and was shot. The Ventura County agent was taken to a
hospital but could not resist the injuries.
"Ron was a dedicated
worker. He was totally committed, he gave his all and
tonight, as I told his wife, he died a hero, "Sheriff Geoff Dean said in a
choked voice.
Some victims were able to
leave the facility and seek care on their own. Police
and several ambulances were mobilized quickly after the incident, according to
City Mayor Andy Fox.
College
students
Pepperdine University
reported that several of its students were Borderline Bar & Grill at the
time of the crime and that it provides information to police authorities. "The
University offers its deepest condolences and is praying for everyone involved
in the tragic events tonight," he said on Twitter.
Quiet
town
The college-themed College
Country Night party is held at the Borderline Bar & Grill on Wednesdays and
brings together college students.
Thousand Oaks
is a noble and quiet suburb, which is about 40 km west of Los Angeles. The
city's mayor told CNN that the city is considered "one of the safest in
the country."
"The reality is that
these kinds of incidents can happen anywhere, anytime, even in extremely safe
communities," he noted.