Once again, Nashville faces horrific mass shooting involving country music fans
FOR THE second time in 13 months, Nashville woke up to the news of a deadly mass shooting that involved country music fans.
On Wednesday night, a gunman shot and killed 12 people inside Borderline Bar and Grill, a country music bar in Thousand Oaks, California, authorities said. Anywhere from eight to 15 patrons were also injured, according to Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean, who said the suspect’s motive is still unclear. One of the victims was Sheriff Deputy Ron Helus, who was killed when he entered the venue after responding to 911 calls.
The Los Angeles-area bar, near Pepperdine University and California Lutheran University, was hosting its weekly 18-and-older College Country Night, which offered line-dancing lessons. On its website, Borderline is described as “Ventura County’s largest country dance hall and live music venue ... a haven for country line dancing folks of all ages.”
Reports soon emerged that some at Borderline had survived the massacre at the Route 91 Harvest festival in October 2017, when a gunman killed 58 and injured hundreds more in the deadliest shooting in modern US history.
“I was at the Las Vegas Route 91 mass shooting, as well as probably 50 or 60 others who were in the building at the same time as me tonight,” witness Nicholas Champion told CBS News. “It’s a big thing for us. We all are a big family, and unfortunately, this family got hit twice.”
Country music prides itself on being the most accessible and familial genre, where superstars are expected to treat fans like friends. Many Nashville artistes, several of whom previously performed at the venue, posted condolences on social media as soon as they saw the news on Thursday morning.
“Our hearts & prayers go out to the victims, their families, & Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks!” wrote Locash, the duo whose song “I Love This Life” accompanies the bar’s YouTube video promoting Country College Night. “We’ve played this venue, met the people who hang there & hurt for their loss.”
“Sending prayers and love to everyone in Thousand Oaks, CA today. Absolutely heartbroken thinking of all those sweet souls just trying to listen and dance to country music,” wrote duo Maddie and Tae.
Condolences streamed in from singers all across the genre, including Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels, Zac Brown Band, Cassadee Pope and Morgan Wallen. John Rich, in New York City to promote his whiskey brand, announced he would stop doing publicity “so we can all focus on the situation at hand.” Kelsea Ballerini was scheduled to debut a new music video but wrote on Instagram, “out of respect, we are postponing the release.”
“Though broken, my heart is with these families and friends in Thousand Oaks today,” tweeted Brad Paisley.
Roseanne Cash, who wrote an op-ed last year calling for country singers to “stand up” to the NRA, also weighed in. “12 killed, including the ‘good guy with a gun’, plus survivors of Las Vegas shooting,” she tweeted. “We can’t go on like this. I don’t want to hear about thoughts and prayers. I want #GunControlNow.” — WPBloomberg