Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 2018)
NATION Friday, November 9, 2018 East Oregonian Page 9A Marine combat veteran kills 12 at California bar By KRYSTA FAURIA AND JONATHAN J. COOPER Associated Press THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Terrified patrons hurled barstools through windows to escape or threw their bod- ies protectively on top of friends as a Marine combat veteran killed 12 people at a coun- try music bar in an attack that added Thousand Oaks to the tragic ros- Long ter of American cities traumatized by mass shootings. Dressed all in black with his hood pulled up, the gun- man apparently took his own life as scores of police converged on the Border- line Bar & Grill in Southern California. The motive for the ram- page late Wednesday night was under investigation. The killer, Ian David Long, 28, was a former machine gunner and Afghan- istan war veteran who was interviewed by police at his home last spring after an episode of agitated behav- ior that authorities were told might be post-traumatic stress disorder. Opening fire with a hand- gun with an illegal, extra-ca- pacity magazine, Long shot a security guard out- side the bar and then went in and took aim at employ- ees and patrons, authorities said. He also used a smoke bomb, according to a law enforcement official who was not authorized to dis- cuss the investigation pub- licly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The dead included a veteran sheriff’s dep- uty who rushed in to con- front the gunman, as well as a 22-year-old man who planned to join the Army, a freshman at nearby Pepper- dine University and a recent Cal Lutheran graduate. “It’s a horrific scene in there,” Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said in the parking lot. “There’s blood everywhere.” Survivors of the rampage — mostly young people who had gone out for college night at the Borderline, a hangout popu- lar with students from nearby Cal- ifornia Lutheran University — seemed to know what to do, hav- ing come of age in an era of active- shooter drills and deadly rampages happening with terrifying frequency. Several of the survivors said they were also at the outdoor country music fes- tival in Las Vegas last year when a gunman in a high- rise hotel killed 58 people. Many of the estimated 150 patrons at the Border- line dived under tables, ran for the exits, broke through windows or hid in the attic and bathrooms, authorities and witnesses said. “Unfortunately our young people, people at nightclubs, have learned that this may happen, and they think about that,” the sheriff said. “For- tunately, it helped save a lot of lives that they fled the scene so rapidly.” Matt Wennerstrom said he pulled people behind a pool table, and he and friends shielded women with their bodies after hear- ing the shots. When the gun- man paused to reload, Wen- nerstrom said, he used a barstool to shatter a win- dow and then helped about 30 people escape. He heard another volley of shots after they got out. “All I wanted to do was get as many people out of there as possible,” he told KABC-TV. “I know where I’m going if I die, so I was not worried.” The tragedy left a com- munity that is annually listed AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez Mourners embrace outside of the Thousand Oaks Teen Center, where relatives and friends gathered in the aftermath of a mass shooting on Thursday in Thousand Oaks, Calif. as one of the safest cities in America reeling. Shootings of any kind are extremely rare in Thousand Oaks, a city of about 130,000 people about 40 miles 64 kilome- ters from Los Angeles, just across the county line. Scores of people showed up to donate blood for the wounded, and all morning, people looking for missing friends and relatives arrived at a community center where authorities and counselors were informing the next-of- kin of those who died. Many people walked past TV cam- eras with blank stares or tears in their eyes. In the parking lot, some comforted each other with hugs or a pat on the back. Jason Coffman received the news that his son Cody, 22, who was about to join the Army, was dead. Coff- man broke down as he told reporters how his last words to his son as he went out that night were not to drink and drive and that he loved him. “Oh, Cody, I love you, son,” Coffman sobbed. It was the nation’s dead- liest such attack since 17 students and teachers were killed at a Parkland, Flor- ida, high school nine months ago. It also came less than two weeks after a gunman massacred 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Democratic Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom, in his first public appearance since winning office on Tues- day, lamented the violence that has come again to California. “It’s a gun culture,” he said. “You can’t go to a bar or nightclub? You can’t go to church or synagogue? It’s insane is the only way to describe it. The normal- ization, that’s the only way I can describe it. It’s become normalized.” President Donald Trump praised police for their “great bravery” in the attack and ordered flags flown at half-staff in honor of the victims. Authorities searched Long’s home in Newbury Park, about 5 miles from the Borderline bar, for clues to what set him off. “There’s no indication that he targeted the employ- ees. We haven’t found any correlation,” the sheriff said. “Maybe there was a motive for this particular night, but we have no information leading to that at all.” Long was in the Marines from 2008 to 2013, rose to the rank of corporal and served in Afghanistan in 2010-11 before he was hon- orably discharged, the mil- itary said. Court records show he married in 2009 and was divorced in 2013. Authorities said he had no criminal record, but in April officers were called to his home, where deputies found him angry and act- ing irrationally. The sher- iff said officers were told he might have PTSD because of his military service. A mental health specialist met with him and didn’t feel he needed to be hospitalized. Tom Hanson, 70, who lives next door to Long and his mother, said Thurs- day that he called the police about six months ago when he heard “heavy-duty bang- ing” and shouting coming from the Longs’ home. “I was concerned because I knew he had been in the military,” he said. Hanson said the sheriff’s deputy who arrived took his information, but he never learned more about what happened and hadn’t spoken to Long since then. Long was armed with a Glock 21, a .45-caliber pistol designed to hold 10 rounds plus one in the cham- ber, according to the sher- iff. But it had an extended magazine — one capable of holding more ammunition — that is illegal in Califor- nia, Dean said. Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus and a passing high- way patrolman arrived at the club around 11:20 p.m. in response to several 911 calls, heard gunfire and went inside, the sheriff said. Helus was immediately shot, Dean said. The highway patrol- man pulled Helus out, then waited as a SWAT team and other officers arrived. Helus died at a hospital. By the time officers entered the bar again — about 15 to 20 minutes later, according to the sher- iff’s office — the gunfire had stopped, the sheriff said. They found 12 people dead inside, including the gun- man, who was discovered in an office, the sheriff said. “There’s no doubt that they saved lives by going in there and engaging with the suspect,” said Dean, who was set to retire on Friday. He praised the slain offi- cer — a close friend — as a hero: “He went in there to save people and paid the ultimate price.” One other person was wounded by gunfire, and as many as 15 others suffered minor injuries from jumping out windows or diving under tables, authorities said. The Borderline, which has a large dance hall along with several smaller areas for eating and drinking, was holding one of its regular “College Country Nights.” Our Quality Is Timeless. This Price Isn’t! Miracle-Ear Quality For $895. Why Wait? Hearing is believing! Right now, for a very limited time, you can get a fully digital, genuine Miracle-Ear® hearing aid for less than $900. This is one of our smallest, most discreet hearing solutions. Complete with Miracle-Ear sound quality, custom fitting and a comprehensive service and warranty program. Don’t wait, this special offer ends November 16th 2018. Experience the Brand America Trusts. Now Only $895! HURRY! Offer ends November 16th 2018 Valid on model Audiotone® Pro CIC Valid at participating Miracle-Ear locations only. Limit one coupon per purchase. May not be combined with other offers and does not apply to prior sales. Cash value 1/20 cent. Offer Expires November 16th 2018. ~ OR ~ Another Great Way to Save Make Your Appointment Today! BUY 1 GET 1 50% Off Save on our full line of digital hearing solutions. Don’t miss out on this amazing offer. HURRY! Offer ends Nov. 16 2018 At Miracle-Ear, we make our process comfortable and convenient. We also offer you a variety of valuable services–at no charge. Services include: FREE Hearing Test † FREE Ear Canal Inspections † A complete hearing test that reveals where you need hearing help. Recommended annually. A miniature camera “tours” your ear canal. You may not have a hearing loss, it may be nothing more than earwax. Schedule Your Appointment for a free In-Store Demonstration of our NEWEST Miracle-Ear® Hearing Aids - Hear the difference for Yourself! Perfect for active lifestyles OUR LOWEST PRICE ON OPEN FIT TECHNO LOGY TRY THE ME2175 OPEN It’s incredibly discreet. LI M Good only from participating Miracle-Ear® representatives. One coupon per purchase. No other offers or discounts apply. Discount does not apply to prior sales. Offer valid on ME-1, ME-2, ME-3, ME-4 Solutions. Cannot combine with any other offers. Cash value 1/20 cent. Offer expires November 16th 2018. Getting Started. It’s Free and Easy. IT TY Save on one of our smallest custom digital hearing aids! At Miracle-Ear, we’ve been helping people hear better** for over 65 years. So when you visit any one of our 1200 locations across America, you’re sure to receive the friendly, professional service and the personalized hearing solutions we’re famous for. ED N Once in a while I come across a product I think is excellent, and my Miracle-Ear hearing aids are one of those things. WAR R A Save up to 30% off our full line of open fit technology. Call Now and Mention Code: 18NovSink Hermiston 955 SE 4th St. Ste B Hermiston, OR 97838 (541) 716-5092 Pendleton 125 SE Court Ave. Ste. #6., Pendleton, OR 97801 (541) 224-8661 100% INVISIBLE Don’t be fooled by the small size. The Miracle-Ear MirageTM features amazingly advanced and powerful micro-technology, all wrapped up in our tiniest hearing aid ever! So Little Can Do So Much! • Noisy restaurants • Plays, movies, recitals • Conversation in the car • Cards & board games • Recreation around water • Talking while exercising • And that’s just the start! PLUS RECEIVE THIS HEARING AID CHARGER FREE WITH PURCHASE • Stays charged all day long • No more hearing aid batteries. Offered on LI RIC *Audiotone® Pro not included **Hearing aids do not restore natural hearing. Individual experiences vary depending on severity of hearing loss, accuracy of evaluation, proper fit and ability to adapt to amplification.†Our hearing test and video otoscopic inspection are always free. Hearing test is an audiometric test to determine proper amplification needs only. These are not medical exams or diagnoses nor are they intended to replace a physician’s care. If you suspect a medical problem, please seek treatment from your doctor. Hearing Aids must be returned within 30 days after delivery for a 100% refund. SPECIAL FINANCING AVAILABLE • SEE STORE FOR DETAILS
