The suspect involved in the mass shooting in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Wednesday night was a veteran who legally purchased the weapon he used to carry out the attack, according to Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean.
Dean said Thursday morning that the suspect, 28-year-old Ian Long, used a modified glock handgun to open fire on a crowd of hundreds at Borderline Bar and Grill for “college country night.”
Long was in the Marine Corps from 2008-2013, and served for seven months in Afghanistan, according to records released by the Marine Corps. He was a machine gunner and had reached the rank of corporal when he left the military following a tour in Hawaii.
“The Marine Corps extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims in this senseless tragedy,” the Marine Corps said in a statement.
[New: Deceased gunman who killed 12 at California bar identified as 28-year-old Ian Long]
Twelve people were killed as a result of the attack, including Sheriff’s Deputy Sgt. Ron Helus, who first entered the bar when responding to the shooting. The suspect was also was killed after suffering gunshot wounds, but it’s unclear how he was shot.
“We don’t know who shot anybody at this point,” Dean said.
The suspect did not have any form of I.D. on him at the time of the attack, and Dean said that there is no information regarding Long’s motive.
“Our hearts ache today for the victims of this heinous act and our deepest condolences are with the Thousand Oaks community and those who lost friends and loved ones,” California Gov. Jerry Brown said in a statement. “We are grateful for law enforcement and others, including Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus, who took heroic action to save lives last night.”
