As multiple media outlets are reporting, last night’s shooting at a Thousand Oaks, California dance hall that resulted in 12 dead (plus the shooter, who killed himself) and more wounded was carried out by a 28-year-old Marine veteran who reportedly used a .45 caliber GLOCK 21 pistol with “extended magazines.”
From KTLA:
A man suspected of using a handgun to kill 12 people Wednesday night at a Thousand Oaks bar has been identified as Ian David Long.
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The 28-year-old United States Marine Corps veteran, who lived in Newbury Park, was identified by Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean during a news conference Thursday morning.
The shooter had obviously planned his attack. He dressing in black gear and wore a mask, then threw smoke grenades in the bar to increase confusion as he opened fire.
The gun used by Long was a .45 caliber Glock 21 designed to hold 10 rounds plus one in the chamber. The weapon had been modified to hold extra rounds, but it was unclear how many were in the gun at the time of the shooting, Dean said.
As if that makes a difference. Local media are reporting that a “mental health team” had paid the shooter a visit at his home in April.
Dean said it was possible that Long had been suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, although that had not been confirmed. “He obviously had some sort of issues,” Dean said.
This from USA Today:
Local authorities said it had contact with Long over the years. He was the victim of a battery at a local Thousand Oaks bar, was involved in two traffic accidents and deputies were called to his home in Newbury Park in 2018 due to a domestic dispute, where he was “somewhat irate and acting irrationally,” said Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean.
However, after mental health professionals looked at Long, they decided not to pull him in for further observation, Dean said.
Witness says she survived California bar shooting after fellow patron used a chair to break a window and throw her to safety. https://t.co/g3y3eot6kS pic.twitter.com/3XekSePy7o
— ABC News (@ABC) November 8, 2018
This is Ventura County Sherrif’s Sgt. Ron Helus, killed as he responded to stop the mass shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, CA. He was a 29-year vet nearing retirement, a husband, and a father.
“He died a hero. He went in to save other people.” RIP. pic.twitter.com/yUGTCYwnei
— Willie Geist (@WillieGeist) November 8, 2018
“He died a hero”: Sheriff remembers fallen Sheriff Sgt. Ron Helus in the Thousand Oaks shooting. https://t.co/rq3tYTFyuo #Borderline #Californiashooting #Massshooting pic.twitter.com/nMSQgrTGFI
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) November 8, 2018