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NBC News -Thousand Oaks shooting: Wife of deputy killed in California massacre calls him a hero

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NBC News -Thousand Oaks shooting: Wife of deputy killed in California massacre calls him a hero

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Karen Helus, wife of Sheriff Sgt. Ron Helus, shares details on the last time she spoke with Ron moments before he responded to the mass shooting. Karen said as they were talking on the phone, Ron had to "back someone up" and said that she was "glad that I said I had loved him." After they got off the phone with each other, Karen activated an installed police scanner app to find out what was urgent. There was a law enforcement response to a mass shooting on the app claiming that 12 people were killed, including her husband. Karen shared that although it was hard to hear, it answered questions she was thinking about and gave her what she needed to know. As Karen shared other stories in this article, she also said that "he would have said he was just doing his job, but you know what he is — a hero — and I want him to be known for that 'cause that's what he did, that's what he was."

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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Karen Helus was on the phone with her husband, Ron, when he heard a report of a shooting in progress nearby.

"He said had to back someone up, and he said he loved me - and I'm glad that I said I loved him," she said. "That was the last time I talked to him."

Ron Helus, 54, got off the phone, rushed to Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California, and went inside, where he was struck by multiple rounds fired by a lone gunman.

After he hung up, Karen said she activated a recently installed police scanner app to find out what was so urgent. Listening in on a major law enforcement response to a mass shooting, which ultimately claimed the lives of 12 people, including her husband, she heard his call sign.

"I never listen to the scanner," she said. "Except that I had just got the app on my phone, and I don't know what made me turn it on, but I did hear what was happening and in some ways it gives me a lot of comfort to know I don't have a lot of questions. So yeah, as hard as it was to hear it, I know the answers to what I need to know right now."

He was pronounced dead at a hospital hours after their final phone call was interrupted.

Memorial services for Helus were held Thursday at a church in Westlake Village, California.

Authorities said Helus exchanged gunfire with Ian Long, 28, a former Marine who later fatally shot himself.

Helus' fearless actions that early morning of Nov. 8 during the bar's "college night" were unsurprising to his wife and son Jordan, 24.

"That's what he would do, that was him," Karen Helus said. "He told me a few weeks before when we were watching a show on TV ... a 9/11 show ... he said that guy that was running into the building that's what I would do."

"And that is what he did," Jordan Helus said.

The mother and son find some solace in knowing that additional bloodshed was likely stopped because he engaged the gunman in a bar filled with hundreds of patrons.

"I think he saved people that might not have been saved had he not gone in there," Karen Helus said. "That's what I've heard, and it would make him really happy to know that he saved people, you know - that he was able to do that. That was who he was."

"Yeah," Jordan Helus said, "he would have done it again."

"He probably was afraid of plenty but he never showed it," Jordan Helus continued. "Never acted like he was, 'cause it wasn't about him. If you're in charge, you, you gotta look at the team. He led from the front."

The lawman recently earned an online master's degree in administrative leadership, and he liked to "mentor the next generation of people that were coming in to become police officers," his wife said.

For Jordan Helus, his father was a best friend who took him fishing in Mammoth Lakes, California, at least once a year since he was 6.

The 29-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department planned to retire within a year, family members said, and then maybe find a home in a more remote area and spend more time fishing.

"He would have said he was just doing his job, but you know what he is - a hero - and I want him to be known for that 'cause that's what he did, that's what he was," Karen Helus said.
Joe Fryer reported from Thousand Oaks, Dennis Romero reported from Los Angeles.

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Wife of deputy killed in California mass shooting calls him a hero

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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - Karen Helus was on the phone with her husband, Ron, when he heard a report of a shooting in progress nearby. "He said had to back someone up, and he said he loved me - and I'm glad that I said I loved him," she said.

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New York Post - California family dodges mass shooting, loses home to wildfire

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New York Post - California family dodges mass shooting, loses home to wildfire

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A family in California had survived two life threatening situations, the Borderline shooting along with losing their home in the wildfires in Malibu. Carmen Edman told CBS that her daughter, Deseriee, had escaped the Borderline Bar shooting. The next day, the family left their home hours before the fire had hit their home. Carmen said that the "stress levels were off the charts" and the family is still processing the shooting and wildfires within the two days it all took place. She said it was "two-near death experiences that you just don't expect" but Deseriee's sister, Destiny, is thankful that they made it out alive and that "we're here."

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A California family narrowly survived two back-to-back calamities - losing their home to wildfire in Malibu the day after the Borderline shooting in Thousand Oaks nearly claimed one of their lives.

Carmen Edman told the CBS affiliate in Los Angeles that her daughter, Deseriee[cq], escaped the Borderline Bar & Grill as a gunman opened fire, killing 12 people, on Nov. 8.

The next day, the family fled the deadly Woolsey Fire hours before flames consumed their home, she said, adding, "Stress levels were off the charts."

The family is still processing the shooting and fire, said Deseriee.

It was "two-near death experiences that you just don't expect," she told the TV station.

Added Deseriee's sister, Destiny, "The fact is, we made it out alive, and my sister survived, and we're here."

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California family dodges mass shooting, loses home to wildfire

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A California family narrowly survived two back-to-back calamities - losing their home to wildfire in Malibu the day after the Borderline shooting in Thousand Oaks nearly claimed one of their lives. Carmen Edman told the CBS affiliate in Los Angeles that her daughter, Deseriee[cq], escaped the Borderline Bar & Grill as a gunman opened fire, killing 12 people, on Nov.

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VC Star - President Trump addresses Thousand Oaks shooting on Twitter

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VC Star - President Trump addresses Thousand Oaks shooting on Twitter

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The next Thursday morning after the California mass shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill on Wednesday night, President Trump tweeted thanking the law enforcement, first responders, FBI and California Highway Patrol who were all on the scene. Vice President Mike Pence also tweeted to "Please pray for comfort & healing for their families & all impacted." According to Trumps tweet, the "California Highway Patrol was on the scene within 3 minutes, with first officer to enter shot numerous times. That Sheriff's Sergeant died in the hospital."

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On Twitter early Thursday morning, President Donald Trump addressed the Wednesday night mass shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks.

Twelve people were killed by a sole gunman in the shooting, including a Ventura County Sheriff's sergeant. The gunman, Ian David Long, was also found dead at the scene.

MORE: Where Thousand Oaks shooting victims and their families can find help

Trump thanked law enforcement and addressed the death of Ventura County Sheriff's Sergeant Ron Helus.

MORE: Thousand Oaks shooter identified as Marine veteran Ian David Long, 28

Vice President Mike Pence also tweeted about the shooting. He said Trump "directed the full resources of the federal government to support the investigation."

The White House tweeted that the American flag will be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims of the Thousand Oaks shooting.

California Gov. Jerry Brown released a statement on Twitter, offering "deepest condolences to the Thousand Oaks community and those who lost friends and loved ones."

California U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein tweeted she is "closely following developments" in the shooting and provided information about a Family Assistance and Reunification Center set up in Thousand Oaks.

California U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris also tweeted about the shooting. She called Helus a "true hero" and urged for congressional action against gun violence.

Gavin Newsom, California's lieutenant governor and new governor-elect, tweeted, "Our hearts are with all those whose loved ones were stolen from them too soon."

Other Twitter reactions to California shooting at Thousand Oaks bar:

More Thousand Oaks shooting coverage:

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President Trump addresses Thousand Oaks shooting on Twitter

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On Twitter early Thursday morning, President Donald Trump addressed the Wednesday night mass shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks. Twelve people were killed by a sole gunman in the shooting, including a Ventura County Sheriff's sergeant. The gunman, Ian David Long, was also found dead at the scene.

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ABC 10 News- Cal Lutheran holds memorial service for alumnus killed in Thousand Oaks shooting 

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ABC 10 News- Cal Lutheran holds memorial service for alumnus killed in Thousand Oaks shooting 

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Lutheran University in California gathered students and staff to remember a former student and Coronado native who was killed in the mass shooting at the Borderline Bar and Grill. The university held a memorial service for victim Justin Meek at the campus, as well live streamed the memorial on the schools website in memory of him. Justin Meek was only 23 years old and had worked at the Borderline Bar and Grill. He was one of the 12 victims who were killed at the mass shooting on Wednesday, November 8th. Meek had survived the shooting but had critical conditions which lead him to death. Meek was known to be "widely known and liked all across campus."

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(KGTV) - California Lutheran University students and staff gathered Saturday to remember an alumnus and Coronado native killed in the Thousand Oaks mass shooting this month.

A memorial service for Justin Meek was held on campus and live-streamed on the school's website.

Meek, 23, was working at the Borderline Bar & Grill on Nov. 8 when a gunman stormed in an killed 12 other people.
RELATED:
Meek initially survived the shooting and was reported in critical condition before the university confirmed his death. Several current Cal Lutheran students were also there, the university said.

"As a student, he was the kind of person who was widely known and liked all across campus," the school wrote on Facebook. "Together, as a family, we will find our way through this."

Watch the service here.

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Cal Lutheran holds memorial service for alumnus killed in Thousand Oaks shooting

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(KGTV) - California Lutheran University students and staff gathered Saturday to remember an alumnus and Coronado native killed in the Thousand Oaks mass shooting this month. A memorial service for Justin Meek was held on campus and live-streamed on the school's website. Meek, 23, was working at the Borderline Bar & Grill on Nov.

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ABC News Youtube Video - Latest Details on Deadly California Bar Shooting

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ABC News Youtube Video - Latest Details on Deadly California Bar Shooting

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ABC news Youtube video shares news on the mass shooting and what had occurred at the Borderline Bar and Grill. ABC News Reporter Kanya Whitworth reported while on scene that this shooting could have been "so much worse" according to the County Sheriffs office. During this report, they were unclear and still identifying who the victims were but had found the suspected shooter Ian David Long. The reporter talked about previous trouble he has been within the law, including at another bar causing battery at a local bar.

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Latest details on deadly California bar shooting

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TMZ - Thousand Oaks Bar Shooting Suspect Posted on Instagram During Massacre 

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TMZ - Thousand Oaks Bar Shooting Suspect Posted on Instagram During Massacre 

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Gunman of the California Borderline Bar shooter, Ian Long, had posted a message on his instagram and facebook "I hope people call me insane .. wouldn't that just be a big ball of irony? Yeah ... I'm insane, but the only thing you people do after these shootings is "hopes and prayers" .. or "keep you in my thoughts" ... every time ... and wonder why these keep happening ..." before the shooting. According to a former classmate of Ian Long, he shared that he was bullied. They would make fun of him for having a lazy eye, which had affected him. The students would go to the Borderline Bar on Wednesday nights, which the classmate shared that Long knew that some of the people who had bullied him would be present there. The article also shared that Long had served in Afghanistan from 2010-2011, which he had suffered PTSD from that had caused his mental health to be severe even after reaching out for help from a range of different professionals within the mental health field.

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Thousand Oaks Bar Shooting Suspect Posted on Instagram During Massacre Possible Revenge Motive

12:15 PM PT -- Our sources say Long posted the same message on his Instagram and Facebook, "I hope people call me insane .. wouldn't that just be a big ball of irony? Yeah ... I'm insane, but the only thing you people do after these shootings is "hopes and prayers" .. or "keep you in my thoughts" ... every time ... and wonder why these keep happening ..." The shooter who terrorized college students at Borderline Bar & Grill was shockingly on social media as he shot a dozen people dead, and, based on what we now know, it sounds like they were revenge killings.

Law enforcement sources tell us Ian Long held a gun in one hand and his phone in the other, posting messages on his Instagram during Wednesday night's massacre.

Our sources say investigators discovered the messages on Long's page several hours after the shooting and contacted Instagram to delete his page. We don't know precisely what he was saying, but it appears he had a grudge he was carrying out.

A former classmate of Long's tells TMZ, Long was bullied in high school. She says his fellow students made fun of him because he had a lazy eye, and it affected him deeply. The classmate says a lot of those students go to that bar on Wednesday nights. She says he knew some of the people who teased him would be there.

We're told he was a regular at the bar, usually keeping to himself ... grabbing a beer and sitting at the bar.

As we reported, Long served in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011 as a decorated member of the Marines. His classmate says Long suffered serious PTSD after his tour and tried to get help from therapists and doctors. We're told he also reached out to the military for help, but his mental health was in bad shape.

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Thousand Oaks Bar Shooter Ian Long Posted on Instagram During Killings

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Thousand Oaks Bar Shooting Suspect Posted on Instagram During Massacre Possible Revenge Motive 12:15 PM PT -- Our sources say Long posted the same message on his Instagram and Facebook, "I hope people call me insane .. wouldn't that just be a big ball of irony? Yeah ...

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BBC News - Ex Marine Ian David Long Identified as suspec

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BBC News - Ex Marine Ian David Long Identified as suspec

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BBC shares details on how the shooting took place at 23:20 local time in California and around 40 miles, 65 km, north-west of the biggest city in California, Los Angeles. According to the article, around 200 people were present in the bar during the mass shooting. It shared how police mental health professionals had cleared him as his behaviour had become "irrational" at home. A former witness of the scene, Teylor Whittler, was there to celebrate one of his friends 21st birthday and had heard gunshots while they were all dancing on the dance floor. The crowd of people told everyone to "Get Down!" once the shots were fired. Victims were breaking windows with chairs and hiding in bathroom stalls. One survivor shared that he and his friends also escaped the deadliest mass shooting killing 58 people at a Las Vegas Country Music Concert. Survivor, Nicholas Champion shared how "this family got hit twice" and they're all a "big family."

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At least 12 people have been killed, including a police officer, at a bar in Thousand Oaks, California.

The shooting began at 23:20 local time on Wednesday about 40 miles (65km) north-west of Los Angeles, police say.

At least 200 people were reportedly inside the Borderline Bar and Grill at the time of the attack.

Officials say the suspect was found dead inside and have not identified him. They do not yet know his motive for the shooting.

How did the shooting occur?

A college country music night was under way when the suspect, apparently dressed in black, entered the bar and opened fire.

Reports say the suspect may have used smoke grenades and at least one weapon, described as a semi-automatic handgun by witnesses.

A injured man told local television channel KTLA: "We just dropped to the ground, we heard a lot of screaming. My friend is the DJ so she cut off the music, we just heard a lot of mayhem."

Another witness from inside, Teylor Whittler, said: "I was on the dance floor and I heard the gunshots, so I looked back and then all of a sudden everyone screamed: Get Down!"

"It was a huge panic, everyone got up, I was trampled, I was kind of left on the floor until some guy came behind me and grabbed me and dragged me out."

People reportedly escaped the bar by using chairs to break windows, while others reportedly sheltered inside the venue's toilets.

What have police said?

Ventura County Sherrif Geoff Dean described the scene inside the bar as "horrific" and said there was "blood everywhere".

He said first responders had arrived just three minutes after the first emergency calls from the venue were made.

Ventura Sheriff's Sergeant Ron Helus, who later died in hospital, had tried to enter the active scene with a local highway patrolman when he was shot several times.

The husband and father-of-one had been a policeman for 29 years and was due to retire next year.

"It saddens us all and tears at our emotions. He died a hero. He went in to save lives, to save other people," the Sherriff said.

Police say they recovered a handgun inside the bar and found the suspect dead inside.

They believe he may have taken his own life but have not confirmed this.

Who are the other victims?

It is not yet clear who the other 11 victims inside the bar are, but the Wednesday night country music event is popular with local university students.

Footage on local media of the aftermath shows injured people being carried away from the scene by their friends.

Police say at least 10 people are known to have been injured and others are self-reporting with injuries at local hospitals.
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Gunman kills 12 in California country bar

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Police say the suspect is dead after a shooting at a busy college student country music night.

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USA Today - Trump Meets Victims of Thousand Oaks Shooting

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USA Today - Trump Meets Victims of Thousand Oaks Shooting

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While President Trump was touring in California due to the wildfire disaster across California, Trump met with victims and families of the mass shooting at the Borderline Bar/Grill. After Trump privately met with the victims and families, he had said it to be "very warm" and "we just hugged and kissed them" as he felt it was "tragic" but a "very beautiful bond" as they all got to share their heartfelt emotions with one another. The article shares details on the wildfire that took place across California and the families who are struggling in this fire who are victims or families of the victims of the California Borderline Bar mass shooting.

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POINT MUGU NAVAL AIR STATION, Calif. - After President Donald Trump's daylong tour of devastation from wildfires across California, he met with those affected by the Thousand Oaks mass shooting earlier this month.

"We just hugged them and we kissed them - and everybody. And it was very warm," the president said after meeting privately with family members and first responders to the attack that killed 12.

"It was tragic, and yet in one way it was a very beautiful moment," Trump said.

He said he met with the "parents of a very young supporter, a young supporter wearing a Trump shirt, and just a terrific young man."

► Nov. 17: 'It's like total devastation': Trump visits Paradise lost in California fire ► Nov. 17: Trump: Report on Jamal Khashoggi killing coming next week ► Nov. 15: Fallen California Sgt. Ron Helus remembered for bravery, service, faith

A gunman opened fire Nov. 7 in the Borderline Bar & Grill, about 40 miles west of Los Angeles, during a crowded College Night. Among those killed was an officer who rushed to the scene and tried to stop the massacre.

As the community attempted to cope with the loss, a wildfire the next day caused many in the town to evacuate. The Woolsey Fire has killed three people and destroyed more than 1,000 structures in the area, dispensing back-to-back punches in the grief-stricken community.

Nov. 8 also is the day that the Camp Fire in Northern California erupted.

Trump said his tour of the devastation from the fires mixed with meeting those affected by the shooting was hard.

"This has been a tough day when you look at all of the death from one place to the next," the president said. "What can you say other than it's so sad to see? These are great people. Great families, torn apart."

The gunman behind the massacre, Ian David Long, 28, wore a hood, bandanna and black clothing as he indiscriminately fired into the crowd. The Marine combat veteran posted to social media during his massacre, saying, "It's too bad I won't get to see all the illogical and pathetic reasons people will put in my mouth as to why I did it," he wrote on Instagram, according to ABC News and Buzzfeed.

"Fact is I had no reason to do it, and I just thought ... (expletive), life is boring so why not?" Long wrote. Long killed himself as police closed in.

► Nov. 13: Company decides to buy firearms for every employee for Christmas ► Nov. 11: LeBron James speaks out about gun violence after Thousand Oaks

Earlier Saturday, Trump visited the community of Paradise, the hardest hit in Northern California's Camp Fire. The blaze has left at least 76 dead and more than 1,000 still unaccounted for.

It is the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century.

The president surveyed the damage, walking by burned-out cars and the remains of houses.

► Nov. 9: Thousand Oaks residents deal with mass shooting, horrific fire ► Nov. 8: Strict California gun laws couldn't stop Thousand Oaks shooting

At one point, the presidential motorcade pulled into a mobile home and RV park, stopping in front of an American flag hanging from what was left of a burned structure.

"Right now we want to take care of the people who have been so badly hurt," the president said.

Trump added, "This is very sad to see. As far as the lives are concerned, nobody knows quite yet."
Christal Hayes reported from Washington. Follow Hayes and John Fritze on Twitter: @Journo_Christal and @jfritze
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'We just hugged them': Trump meets victims of Thousand Oaks shooting during California wildfire tour

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CLOSE POINT MUGU NAVAL AIR STATION, Calif. - After President Donald Trump's daylong tour of devastation from wildfires across California, he met with those affected by the Thousand Oaks mass shooting earlier this month. "We just hugged them and we kissed them - and everybody.

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CNN U.S. - 12 Dead in California Bar Shooting 

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CNN U.S. - 12 Dead in California Bar Shooting 

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CNN shared that Thousand Oaks in California is considered to be one of the "safest cities" within the country. President Donald Trump opened up his sympathy via twitter to the families and victims of the shooting and how the law enforcement have "great bravery." The article shared more information about gunman, David Long, noting that he's had previous run-ins with the law, used to be a frequent customer at the Borderline Bar and Grill, as well other information about his private life. The article also shared how they've deployed service dogs and translators for survivors or families who were impacted by the victims. California Governor, Gavin Newsom, shared his thoughts on how this "doesn't happen anywhere else on the planet" and shouldn't "allow this to be normalized."

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12 dead in California bar shooting: Live updates | CNN

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At least 12 people were killed in a shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California. Follow her for the latest.

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USA Today - What we know about the mass shooting at a Thousand Oaks, California, dance bar

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USA Today - What we know about the mass shooting at a Thousand Oaks, California, dance bar

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USA Today gave information on what had happened during the scene, who the shooter was, the victims in the scene, how Sheriff Sgt. Ron Helus "died a hero", and opportunities on ways people impacted by this event (families or victims) can find help. The article noted that the bar was hosting an event for college students that night and is known to be the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since the other mass shooting that took place in Parkland, Florida where 17 students and teachers were killed in February 2018.

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Twelve people were killed, and multiple people were injured after a mass shooting at a Southern California bar late Wednesday.

About 40 miles west of Los Angeles, a gunman opened fire inside a country western dance bar. At least 11 victims were killed and a deputy died from his injuries, said Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean. The gunman was found dead inside.

The bar was hosting an event for college students at the time.

"There is blood everywhere," Dean said Thursday morning.

This is the deadliest mass shooting in the United States since 17 students and teachers were killed at a Parkland, Florida, school in February.

Here's what we know:

What happened?

The first reports of shots fired came around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday. Early eyewitness accounts suggested that the shooter, who may have dressed in all black with a large trench coat, threw a smoke grenade into the bar before opening fire first on an employee at the door and then on random people. Dean said some people inside the bar broke windows to escape gunfire, and hid inside restrooms and attics. Shots were still being fired when officers arrived on the scene. Officers said about 30 shots had been fired.

A law enforcement official told The Associated Press the suspect was 29 years old, armed with a .45-caliber handgun. The official declined to provide any other details, speaking on condition of anonymity for lack of authorization to publicly discuss the investigation.

More: Police officer, 11 other victims dead in Thousand Oaks, Calif., bar shooting

More: People threw barstools through window to escape Thousand Oaks, California bar during shooting

Where did it happen?

The shooting took place inside Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, known as a safe community to residents.

"I'm a Thousand Oaks resident," Erika Sigman, 19, told the Los Angeles Times. "This is a safe place. My parents let me go here. This is a trusted place. ... To know that this happened in my safe place is a very, very scary thing."

The bar advertises itself as Ventura County's largest country dance hall and live music venue with a dance floor measuring over 2,500 square feet. The night of the shooting, the bar was hosting a college night, according to its website.

"It doesn't matter what community you're in ... it can happen anywhere," Dean said.

Popular bar for college students

Every Thursday night, Borderline Bar & Grill hosts a college country night from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with dance lessons, according to its website. It was known as a popular spot for nearby students. "Multiple" Pepperdine University students who attend school in Malibu were at the bar during the shooting, the university said Thursday morning.

"At this time, the University is working to identify and provide support to those students," the university tweeted.

Carl Edgar, 24, told the Los Angeles Times he had about 20 friends inside the bar during the shooting and also said it's a hangout for Moorpark College students.

California State University Channel Island shared an emergency hotline for locating people that might have been involved, also saying "our thoughts are will all of the victims of the horrific shooting."

Injuries, fatalities

Eleven people were killed inside the bar, plus a sheriff's sergeant who arrived on scene. More than a dozen others were injured and there were even more minor injuries, Dean said.

The gunman was found dead at the scene.

The identities of the victims killed at the bar are not yet known. Sheriff's Sgt. Ron Helus, who was the first to arrive on scene, died at the hospital from his injuries. He was described by Dean as a hardworking, dedicated sheriff's sergeant. Helus leaves behind a wife and son.

More: Ventura County Sheriff Sgt. Ron Helus among those killed in bar shooting

"He died a hero," Dean said. "He went in to save lives, to save other people."

Hundreds of people were inside the bar when the shooting occurred, according to police.

Trump's response

Trump tweeted Thursday morning that he has been "fully briefed on the terrible shooting." He praised law enforcement, saying "great bravery shown by police" and "God bless all of the victims and families of the victims."
Doug Stanglin, Joe Curley and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/11/08/mass-shooting-southern-california-dance-bar-what-happened/1927903002/

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What we know about the fatal mass shooting at a Thousand Oaks, California, dance bar

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Twelve people were killed, and multiple people were injured after a mass shooting during a college night at a Southern California bar late Wednesday.