California shooting: Sergeant Ron Helus identified as officer killed responding to terrorist attack, at least 12 dead
At least 12 people were killed and 12 to 15 others were wounded in a mass shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California.
The shooting happened while the country-themed bar in Southern California was packed with college students Wednesday night. Police called the scene “horrific” and said there was “blood everywhere.”
A witness told KABC-TV that the gunman entered the bar and threw a smoke grenade before opening fire.
“I was at the front door and I was talking to my stepdad. I just started hearing these big pops,” John Hodge told KABC. “Pop, pop, pop. There was probably three or four, I hit the ground. I look up – the security guard is dead. Well, I don’t want to say he was dead, but he was shot. He was down. The gunman was throwing smoke grenades all over the place. I saw him point to the back of the cash register…and he just kept firing. I ran out the front door.”
He said the gunman had a beard, wore a hat, had a black jacket and may have had glasses
Hedge’s stepfather, Tim, told the news station, “He fired the first shot. I knew it was live. I knew it was real. My son thought it was a joke so I pulled him down and got some cover. I looked up and he was moving to the right. He shot the front doorman, who was just a young man. Then he shot the cashier, just a young girl. Then he started moving to the right. He wasn’t looking at us. Then he went into the office, where all the cash and stuff is. He didn’t say anything at all. He just started shooting.”
Other witnesses confirm he was using a handgun, shot the bouncer at the door and the cashier, using smoke grenades during the attack.
Ron Helus
One of the victims was Sergeant Ron Helus, a Ventura County deputy who was responding to the shooting. Helus was a 29-year veteran nearing retirement. Helus “died a hero” trying to save other lives, his colleagues said.
Helus was a 29-year veteran of the sheriff’s office who was hoping to retire next year.
“Ron was as hard working, dedicated sheriff’s sergeant. He was totally committed. He gave his all, and as I told his wife tonight, he died a hero because he went in to save lives, to save other people,” Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean told reporters, his voice cracking as he spoke.
Neither the shooter nor the victims have been identified.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Captain Garo Kuredjian said that the shooter was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the bar.
Witnesses said the shooter was silent during the attack, which police believe was planned in advance. Kuredjian said it is not believed there is any threat to the public.
The shooting was first reported just before 11:30 p.m. local time during “College Country Night.”
[…] California shooting: Sergeant Ron Helus identified as officer killed responding to terrorist attack,… […]
[…] One of the victims was Sergeant Ron Helus, a Ventura County deputy who was responding to the shooting. Helus was a 29-year veteran nearing retirement. Helus “died a hero” trying to save other lives, his colleagues said. […]
So sorry for the officer loss may her RIP and for those 13 people that was shoot my the family find comfort in the Lord..