thousand oaks mass shooting

Thousand Oaks mass shooting: Sheriff's sergeant was killed by friendly fire in shootout, authorities say

By ABC7.com staff
Friday, December 7, 2018
A motive in the mass shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks remains under investigation, officials announced at a press conference Tuesday.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- A sheriff's sergeant who responded to a mass shooting last month in Thousand Oaks was killed by friendly fire from a California Highway Patrol officer's weapon in a shootout with the suspect, authorities announced Friday.

At a morning press conference, Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said Sgt. Ron Helus was struck five times by bullets from the suspect and a sixth time by a round from the CHP officer's rifle.

The suspect killed 12 victims before he fatally turned his weapon on himself.

Investigators have yet to announce 28-year-old Ian David Long's motive for the shooting. Long was carrying seven high-capacity, 30-round magazines when he stormed into the popular venue on the evening of Nov. 7, the Sheriff's Office said.

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The shooter was armed with a folding knife and a Glock .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol he legally bought in 2016 at a Southern California gun shop, according to Ayub.

He threw several smoke grenades and fired over 50 rounds during the rampage, hitting 13 people, including the sheriff's sergeant.

Helus, a 29-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, was wearing body armor when he was shot, authorities said.

PHOTOS: Mass shooting at nightclub in Thousand Oaks, California
People stand in a parking lot along South Moorpark Road in the aftermath of a mass shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill, on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.none
Potential witnesses sit near the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif., where a gunman opened fire Wednesday inside a crowded country music bar.none
Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean speaks to reporters near the scene in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.none
Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean speaks to reporters near the scene in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.none
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A witness talks to reporters outside a country music bar and dance hall in Thousand Oaks after a gunman barged into a large, crowded venue and opened fire late November 07, 2018.none
A forensics team gets ready work the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
An FBI agent works the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
A forensics team works the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
A forensics team works the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
A forensics team works the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
People comfort each other as they stand near the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
People comfort each other after gunman opens fire on a nightclub in California.none
An FBI agent talks to a potential witness at a shooting at a California nightclub.none
Two young ladies comfort each other after a shooting at a California nightclub.none
People walk away from the scene after a gunman opens fire on a nightclub in California.none
People comfort each other after gunman opens fire on a nightclub in California, killing at least 11.none
Sheriff's deputy speaks to a potential witness outside of a California nightclub where a gunman opened fire, killing at least 11.none
People comfort each other outside California nightclub after gunman opens fire, killing at least 11.none
Sheriff's deputies speak to a potential witness after gunman opens fire inside a country dance bar, wounding 11 people including a deputy who rushed to the scene.none
Two men embrace after a mass shooting at California nightclub.none
Two men embrace after a mass shooting at California nightclub.none
Authorities rush to the scene after a gunman opens fire on a nightclub in California.none


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