Gunman at U.S. bar shooting identified as former Marine

Source: Xinhua| 2018-11-09 03:46:04|Editor: yan
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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Local authorities identified 28-year-old Ian David Long as the gunman of a mass shooting Wednesday night in the city of Thousand Oaks in Southern California, which has left 13 people dead including an officer and the gunman.

A total of 25 people were injured in the shooting, according to local authorities.

Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said the gunman was Ian David Long, 28, a Marine Corps veteran, who was described as "acting a little irrationally" when police were called to his home earlier this year to investigate a disturbance. He lived in Newbury Park, near Thousand Oaks.

Dean said the gunman was armed with a Glock 21-a brand of .45-caliber handgun.

"The weapon was designed in California to hold a magazine of 10 rounds and one in the chamber, but he had an extended magazine on it," Dean said.

Sheriff's officials said the shooter fatally shot himself after the massacre. He was found inside an office near the entrance of the venue.

In the neighborhood where Long lived, residents said they were well aware of his problems.

Richard Berge, 77, was quoted by local media as saying the former Marine had PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and was known to kick in the walls of the home. Long lived with his mother, Berge said.

A total of 25 other people were injured in the shooting, 23 of which self-transported themselves to hospitals, and two were taken by ambulance, according to the Ventura County Fire Department.

A procession is underway Thursday morning for Deputy Sgt. Ron Helus killed while responding to the mass shooting.

Helus' body is being transported via motorcade from Los Robles Hospital to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office. People stood along the route with grief, paying salute to the officer.

Helus was a 29-year veteran who was set to retire next year. He is survived by his wife and son.

"Ron was a hardworking, dedicated sheriff's sergeant. He was totally committed, he gave his all and tonight, as I told his wife, he died a hero. He went in to save lives, to save other people," Dean said.

Authorities said hundreds of people were inside the bar when the gunfire rang out.

No other victims have been identified by officials.

A family assistance center has been set up at 1375 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks.

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