This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/nov/08/california-borderline-bar-shooting-victim-profiles-thousand-oaks

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Officer, art student, veteran: the victims of the California bar shooting Officer, art student, veteran: the victims of the California bar shooting
(about 1 month later)
One was a veteran police officer who didn’t hesitate to run toward danger. Another was an art student who worked with children at her church. Others were a navy veteran, an a cappella singer who worked as a caregiver, and a security guard with a “big personality” who was known for making sure everyone got home safely.One was a veteran police officer who didn’t hesitate to run toward danger. Another was an art student who worked with children at her church. Others were a navy veteran, an a cappella singer who worked as a caregiver, and a security guard with a “big personality” who was known for making sure everyone got home safely.
They were among a dozen people killed in a shooting at a country music bar in southern California. Authorities believe the gunman, Ian David Long, ultimately killed himself.They were among a dozen people killed in a shooting at a country music bar in southern California. Authorities believe the gunman, Ian David Long, ultimately killed himself.
'Chills go up your spine': at California bar, Vegas survivors live through another shooting'Chills go up your spine': at California bar, Vegas survivors live through another shooting
More victims’ stories and identities emerged on Friday. It was going to be a “very difficult day for many people”, said Andrew Fox, the mayor of Thousand Oaks, California, where the attack happened on Wednesday night.More victims’ stories and identities emerged on Friday. It was going to be a “very difficult day for many people”, said Andrew Fox, the mayor of Thousand Oaks, California, where the attack happened on Wednesday night.
Ron Helus: ‘A cop’s cop’Ron Helus: ‘A cop’s cop’
Ventura county sheriff’s sergeant Ron Helus was talking to his wife when calls started coming in about a shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill.Ventura county sheriff’s sergeant Ron Helus was talking to his wife when calls started coming in about a shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill.
“Hey, I got to go handle a call. I love you. I’ll talk to you later,” he told her, according to Sheriff Geoff Dean.“Hey, I got to go handle a call. I love you. I’ll talk to you later,” he told her, according to Sheriff Geoff Dean.
It was the last time she would talk to her husband.It was the last time she would talk to her husband.
Helus rushed toward the shooting and immediately exchanged fire with the shooter inside the bar, Dean said. Helus was hit multiple times and died at a hospital.Helus rushed toward the shooting and immediately exchanged fire with the shooter inside the bar, Dean said. Helus was hit multiple times and died at a hospital.
Sgt Eric Buschow, who said Helus was a friend, described him as a “cop’s cop”.Sgt Eric Buschow, who said Helus was a friend, described him as a “cop’s cop”.
“The fact that he was the first in the door doesn’t surprise me at all,” he said. “He’s just one of those guys that wouldn’t hesitate in a situation.”“The fact that he was the first in the door doesn’t surprise me at all,” he said. “He’s just one of those guys that wouldn’t hesitate in a situation.”
Helus took up fly fishing a few years ago and loved pursuing the hobby in the Sierra Nevada mountains with his grown son, Buschow said.Helus took up fly fishing a few years ago and loved pursuing the hobby in the Sierra Nevada mountains with his grown son, Buschow said.
“He was just a great guy, a gentle soul,” Buschow said. “Patient. Calm no matter what. When you call 911, he’s one of the guys you want showing up.”“He was just a great guy, a gentle soul,” Buschow said. “Patient. Calm no matter what. When you call 911, he’s one of the guys you want showing up.”
Thousands of people lined streets and many others pulled over to honor the fallen officer during a somber 25-mile (40km) procession that took Helus’s body from a hospital to a coroner’s office.Thousands of people lined streets and many others pulled over to honor the fallen officer during a somber 25-mile (40km) procession that took Helus’s body from a hospital to a coroner’s office.
Dean choked back tears talking about Helus and called him a hero.Dean choked back tears talking about Helus and called him a hero.
“He went in there to save people and paid the ultimate price,” he said.“He went in there to save people and paid the ultimate price,” he said.
Cody Coffman: ‘The big brother that my kids need’Cody Coffman: ‘The big brother that my kids need’
Cody Coffman, who had just turned 22, was talking with army recruiters and preparing to fulfill his dream of serving his country, said his father, Jason Coffman, who wept as he told a group of reporters that his first-born son was among the victims.Cody Coffman, who had just turned 22, was talking with army recruiters and preparing to fulfill his dream of serving his country, said his father, Jason Coffman, who wept as he told a group of reporters that his first-born son was among the victims.
Cody adored his siblings – three brothers between ages six and nine – and he couldn’t wait for the birth of a sister, due on 29 November, said Jason Coffman of Camarillo.Cody adored his siblings – three brothers between ages six and nine – and he couldn’t wait for the birth of a sister, due on 29 November, said Jason Coffman of Camarillo.
“Cody was the big brother that my kids need,” he said. “He was so excited to have his first sister and now she’ll never know ...”“Cody was the big brother that my kids need,” he said. “He was so excited to have his first sister and now she’ll never know ...”
He trailed off, sobbing, then said, “Oh, Cody, I love you, son.”He trailed off, sobbing, then said, “Oh, Cody, I love you, son.”
Jason Coffman said he last spoke to his son on Wednesday night before Cody headed to the bar where the gunman opened fire.Jason Coffman said he last spoke to his son on Wednesday night before Cody headed to the bar where the gunman opened fire.
“The first thing I said was, ’Please don’t drink and drive,’” he said. “The last thing I said was, ‘Son, I love you.’”“The first thing I said was, ’Please don’t drink and drive,’” he said. “The last thing I said was, ‘Son, I love you.’”
Justin Meek: ‘Full of light and happiness’Justin Meek: ‘Full of light and happiness’
Newly graduated from California Lutheran University, Justin Meek cared for children with special needs, performed as a singer and worked at the Borderline bar.Newly graduated from California Lutheran University, Justin Meek cared for children with special needs, performed as a singer and worked at the Borderline bar.
It was there he “heroically saved lives” before being killed, the Cal Lutheran president, Chris Kimball, said in a statement. He didn’t provide details.It was there he “heroically saved lives” before being killed, the Cal Lutheran president, Chris Kimball, said in a statement. He didn’t provide details.
The campus chapel overflowed on Thursday with people attending a service of mourning. Meek, 23, majored in criminal justice and graduated in May, a school spokeswoman, Karin Grennan, said.The campus chapel overflowed on Thursday with people attending a service of mourning. Meek, 23, majored in criminal justice and graduated in May, a school spokeswoman, Karin Grennan, said.
Since last summer, Meek had worked for Channel Island Social Services as a respite caregiver, supporting families with children with special needs, mostly developmental disabilities, the chief executive, Sharon Francis, said.Since last summer, Meek had worked for Channel Island Social Services as a respite caregiver, supporting families with children with special needs, mostly developmental disabilities, the chief executive, Sharon Francis, said.
What we know about the California shooting and gunmanWhat we know about the California shooting and gunman
“Parents just adored him. He was able to bond with their kids,” she said. “He was just an all-around guy.”“Parents just adored him. He was able to bond with their kids,” she said. “He was just an all-around guy.”
Danielle Gallo, who also works at the family-run organization, said he was dedicated to the kids he worked with.Danielle Gallo, who also works at the family-run organization, said he was dedicated to the kids he worked with.
“You could tell he really had a heart for what he did,” she said, sobbing.“You could tell he really had a heart for what he did,” she said, sobbing.
Meek also toured professionally as an a cappella singer, said family friend Patrick Ellis, who called Meek a talented musician, singer and athlete and a “fantastic human being”.Meek also toured professionally as an a cappella singer, said family friend Patrick Ellis, who called Meek a talented musician, singer and athlete and a “fantastic human being”.
“He was a hero every day of his life,” Ellis said. “It was just always positive energy … Anything he could do for you, he was just there.”“He was a hero every day of his life,” Ellis said. “It was just always positive energy … Anything he could do for you, he was just there.”
Alaina Housley: ‘An incredible young woman’Alaina Housley: ‘An incredible young woman’
Alaina Housley was just 18, a promising student at Pepperdine University with plans to study law, her family said.Alaina Housley was just 18, a promising student at Pepperdine University with plans to study law, her family said.
Adam Housley, a former Fox News correspondent, and Tamera Mowry-Housley, an actor known for the 1990s TV series Sister Sister, said their niece was killed at the bar where she had gone line dancing with friends.Adam Housley, a former Fox News correspondent, and Tamera Mowry-Housley, an actor known for the 1990s TV series Sister Sister, said their niece was killed at the bar where she had gone line dancing with friends.
“Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her, and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner,” the couple said in a statement.“Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her, and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner,” the couple said in a statement.
Alaina was bright, popular and well-loved, said her grandfather, Art Housley.Alaina was bright, popular and well-loved, said her grandfather, Art Housley.
She played soccer and tennis, studied piano and violin, and sang, he said.She played soccer and tennis, studied piano and violin, and sang, he said.
“She’s a really good kid,” he said, fighting tears, before her relatives learned their fears of her death were true. “Everybody loves her.”“She’s a really good kid,” he said, fighting tears, before her relatives learned their fears of her death were true. “Everybody loves her.”
Telemachus Orfanos: navy veteran nicknamed ‘Tel’Telemachus Orfanos: navy veteran nicknamed ‘Tel’
Telemachus Orfanos, 27, was a US navy veteran with a thick beard, an easy smile and a gladiator helmet tattoo. His friends called him “Tel”.Telemachus Orfanos, 27, was a US navy veteran with a thick beard, an easy smile and a gladiator helmet tattoo. His friends called him “Tel”.
“Here are my words: I want gun control,” his mother, Susan Schmidt-Orfanos, said, her voice shaking with grief and rage after learning her son was killed. “I don’t want prayers. I don’t want thoughts.”“Here are my words: I want gun control,” his mother, Susan Schmidt-Orfanos, said, her voice shaking with grief and rage after learning her son was killed. “I don’t want prayers. I don’t want thoughts.”
She said wants Congress to “pass gun control so no one else has a child that doesn’t come home”.She said wants Congress to “pass gun control so no one else has a child that doesn’t come home”.
Photos on Orfanos’s Facebook page show the former Eagle Scout with friends at ballgames or at work.Photos on Orfanos’s Facebook page show the former Eagle Scout with friends at ballgames or at work.
Noel Sparks: ‘All-around good girl’Noel Sparks: ‘All-around good girl’
Noel Sparks, a 21-year-old college student, loved going to the Borderline Bar & Grill, so friends and family were not surprised when she posted a photo of herself dancing there Wednesday night.Noel Sparks, a 21-year-old college student, loved going to the Borderline Bar & Grill, so friends and family were not surprised when she posted a photo of herself dancing there Wednesday night.
Her aunt Patricia Sparks of Morristown, Tennessee, said police informed Sparks’ father on Thursday that she had died in the shooting.Her aunt Patricia Sparks of Morristown, Tennessee, said police informed Sparks’ father on Thursday that she had died in the shooting.
“We’re in shock,” Patricia Sparks told the Associated Press.“We’re in shock,” Patricia Sparks told the Associated Press.
She described her niece as an “all-around good girl. She was the kind of girl that if you had friends, you’d want them to marry her.”She described her niece as an “all-around good girl. She was the kind of girl that if you had friends, you’d want them to marry her.”
When friend Jackie Jones heard about the shooting, she jumped into her car and headed to the bar shortly after midnight. She was determined to find Sparks.When friend Jackie Jones heard about the shooting, she jumped into her car and headed to the bar shortly after midnight. She was determined to find Sparks.
“She would do that for me,” Jones said.“She would do that for me,” Jones said.
Sparks was majoring in art at nearby Moorpark College.Sparks was majoring in art at nearby Moorpark College.
She worked part time at Calvary Community church in Westlake Village. She helped with children’s programs, the Rev Shawn Thornton said.She worked part time at Calvary Community church in Westlake Village. She helped with children’s programs, the Rev Shawn Thornton said.
“She loved kids. We had a lot of parents show up today to say, ‘She made my child feel important and that they mattered,” Thornton said.“She loved kids. We had a lot of parents show up today to say, ‘She made my child feel important and that they mattered,” Thornton said.
Sean Adler: ‘A very, very big personality’Sean Adler: ‘A very, very big personality’
Sean Adler, 48, was a security guard at Borderline who would stay late to ensure people could get home safely, said Debbie Allen, a longtime friend.Sean Adler, 48, was a security guard at Borderline who would stay late to ensure people could get home safely, said Debbie Allen, a longtime friend.
The married father of two boys died doing what he was passionate about – protecting people, Allen said.The married father of two boys died doing what he was passionate about – protecting people, Allen said.
“He was a very, very big personality and had a very, very gorgeous smile,” she said, adding that he had once considered becoming a police officer. “I don’t think in all the years I’ve known him, and it’s almost 30, I ever heard him say ‘no’ to someone.”“He was a very, very big personality and had a very, very gorgeous smile,” she said, adding that he had once considered becoming a police officer. “I don’t think in all the years I’ve known him, and it’s almost 30, I ever heard him say ‘no’ to someone.”
His other passion, she said, was coffee. Adler recently opened his own coffee shop, Rivalry Roasters, in Simi Valley, said Phil Englander, another longtime friend.His other passion, she said, was coffee. Adler recently opened his own coffee shop, Rivalry Roasters, in Simi Valley, said Phil Englander, another longtime friend.
“He was just the most passionate person about coffee you would ever want to meet,” Englander said.“He was just the most passionate person about coffee you would ever want to meet,” Englander said.
Marky Meza Jr: ‘Loving and wonderful young man’Marky Meza Jr: ‘Loving and wonderful young man’
Marky Meza Jr, who was less than two weeks from his 21st birthday, was working as a busboy and food runner at the bar when he was killed.Marky Meza Jr, who was less than two weeks from his 21st birthday, was working as a busboy and food runner at the bar when he was killed.
“Marky was a loving and wonderful young man who was full of life and ambition,” the Meza family said in a statement provided to Santa Barbara TV station KEYT. “His family is devastated by his loss.”“Marky was a loving and wonderful young man who was full of life and ambition,” the Meza family said in a statement provided to Santa Barbara TV station KEYT. “His family is devastated by his loss.”
Meza grew up in the Santa Barbara area and had worked in the service industry since he was a teen.Meza grew up in the Santa Barbara area and had worked in the service industry since he was a teen.
He was one of the few teenagers who got hired at Sandpiper Lodge in Santa Barbara, manager Shawn Boteju said. Meza worked full time at the Sandpiper in housekeeping and would come to work on a hoverboard.He was one of the few teenagers who got hired at Sandpiper Lodge in Santa Barbara, manager Shawn Boteju said. Meza worked full time at the Sandpiper in housekeeping and would come to work on a hoverboard.
“He was extremely nice,” Boteju said.“He was extremely nice,” Boteju said.
Daniel Manrique: ‘A saint’Daniel Manrique: ‘A saint’
Daniel Manrique, 33, dedicated his life to service as a hospital volunteer, a former US Marine and manager of an organization that helps veterans adjust after leaving the military.Daniel Manrique, 33, dedicated his life to service as a hospital volunteer, a former US Marine and manager of an organization that helps veterans adjust after leaving the military.
He was a radio operator with the Second Combat Engineer Battalion, Seond Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and he deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Orange County Register reported.He was a radio operator with the Second Combat Engineer Battalion, Seond Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and he deployed to Afghanistan in 2007 with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Orange County Register reported.
After leaving the military, Manrique began volunteering with Team Red White and Blue, an organization that works to help veterans avoid isolation by connecting them to their community. He was named a regional program manager last month.After leaving the military, Manrique began volunteering with Team Red White and Blue, an organization that works to help veterans avoid isolation by connecting them to their community. He was named a regional program manager last month.
“The best way I can describe him is as a saint. He truly believed in service,” friend and business partner Tim O’Brien told the newspaper. “Dan was the guy you could rely on if you ran out of gas in the middle of the night. He would help you out if something bad happened. He was there, dedicated, loyal.”“The best way I can describe him is as a saint. He truly believed in service,” friend and business partner Tim O’Brien told the newspaper. “Dan was the guy you could rely on if you ran out of gas in the middle of the night. He would help you out if something bad happened. He was there, dedicated, loyal.”
CaliforniaCalifornia
Gun crimeGun crime
featuresfeatures
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content