California bar gunman stabbed 1 victim, fired over 50 rounds

LOS ANGELES — A former U.S. Marine machine gunner who opened fire inside a packed Thousand Oaks bar this month stabbed one of his victims in the neck during the rampage that left 12 people dead, authorities revealed Tuesday.

Authorities said Ian David Long, 28, was armed with a folding knife and a .45-caliber Glock handgun with a laser sight attached when he attacked the Borderline Bar and Grill on Nov. 7 about 11:20 p.m.

Long immediately tossed smoke bombs and fired two of his seven highcapacity magazines that packed 30 shots each into the crowd as patrons tried to escape, said Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub as officials provided the most detailed account of the incident yet at a news conference Tuesday.

Ventura County Sheriff ’s Sgt. Ron Helus and a California Highway Patrol officer were the first to run into the bar, minutes after the first 911 call. Long, who was set up in a tactical position to prepare for responding officers, ambushed them.

They exchanged gunfire, and Helus was shot multiple times. Neither the sergeant nor the officer struck Long. The CHP officer dragged Helus out of the building.

An autopsy determined Long fatally shot himself, authorities said.

Ventura County Medical Examiner Christopher Young said 12 people who were struck by gunfire at close range died quickly. Only one person who was shot survived.

Authorities are still exploring possibilities in the search for a motive. Long did not have any connections to terrorist organizations, FBI Assistant Director Paul Delacourt said.