Porterville Recorder

Gunman who killed 12 died from self-inflicted gunshot

- By JONATHAN J. COOPER

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — An autopsy determined that the gunman who killed 12 people at a Southern California bar died from a self-inflicted gunshot, police said Saturday.

Ian David Long, a 28-year-old ex-marine machine-gunner, fatally shot 11 people at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks and a police officer who responded just before midnight Wednesday. The officer exchanged gunfire with Long, who was found dead at the scene.

Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub said an autopsy determined Long fatally shot himself.

Authoritie­s have yet to determine a motive and are exploring all possibilit­ies. Among them is whether Long believed a former girlfriend might have been at the bar, which was filled with about 150 people on its popular college night that attracts students from several nearby schools.

Sheriff's Capt. Garo Kuredjian said investigat­ors were still interviewi­ng witnesses, have served a search warrant at Long's home and searched the car Long drove to the bar.

"We're going to exhaust every investigat­ive means possible," Kuredjian told the Ventura County Star.

Kuredjian said there is no timeline for completing the investigat­ion. The analysis of items obtained in the searches could take months, he said.

Former Sheriff Geoff Dean, whose last day on the job was Friday, said investigat­ors believe Long targeted the bar but don't know why. At least a half-dozen people interviewe­d by The Associated Press who described themselves as regulars at the bar don't ever recall seeing Long there.

Authoritie­s described an attack of military efficiency . When Long shot his .45-caliber pistol, he killed. All of the injured suffered cuts, bruises and other minor injuries in frantic attempts to escape the gunfire. Some smashed windows and jumped out.

Based on time stamps, investigat­ors say, Long posted to Instagram during the attack. The post involved his mental state and whether people would believe he was sane.

His social media accounts have been taken down but a law enforcemen­t official said Long posted about his mental state and whether people would believe he was sane. The official, who was briefed on the investigat­ion but not authorized to discuss it publicly, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Long grew up in Thousand Oaks and several people who knew him described him in disturbing terms. Long made others feel uncomforta­ble going back to his teens.

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