Victims of bar shooting remembered at Thousand Oaks church service, memorial
THOUSAND OAKS — As Sunday came in Thousand Oaks, people turned to all the things that brought them comfort.
Following a week of double tragedies — a bar shooting that killed 12 and a fire that displaced thousands — many flocked to church and family.
At Ascension Lutheran, the pews were packed with parishioners during the morning service. Pastor Tim Delkeskamp spoke about the grief and suffering that has rocked the community.
Children were called to the altar and asked: “Have any of you been scared in the last few days? Have any of you felt confused?”
The kids and many adults said yes.
Most were still trying to make sense of so much loss in such little time. Just days ago, Thousand Oaks felt a long way from harm, tucked away among knolls and mountains. Now, nearly everyone knew someone who was killed at the bar, burned out by the fire or displaced by evacuations.
“This is when we don’t let fear have its way. Instead we love,” Delkeskamp told his church after sharing that his niece was also on the dance floor the night of the shooting.
Two miles south at Borderline Bar and Grill, yellow tape blocked anyone from entering the neighborhood bar that Ian David Long, a troubled 28-yearold ex-Marine, turned into a crime scene.
Dozens of shooting survivors gathered beneath a giant oak tree. They wore shirts paying tribute to Thousands Oaks and their favorite bar. They held hands and prayed, forming a circle led by a local pastor.
“This morning this is our church,” said Pastor Jim Crew of Atmosphere Church, who attended the memorial. “I want you to give someone next to you a hug. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know them.”