California Shooting Victims to Be Memorialized at Local Vigils and Services

John Hedge tells of shooting inside bar - Courtesy CNN
Survivor John Hedge tells of shooting inside bar - Courtesy CNN

By JOHN DALY

Memorials and vigils will be held tonight through Sunday for the victims of yet another mass shooting in the U.S., this time at a Southern California bar and grill hosting a college country western night.

On Wednesday night, an ex-military man identified as Ian David Long killed 12 people and himself at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks. 

“This is America…This doesn’t happen anywhere else on the planet,” said Gavin Newsom who won California’s gubernatorial race Tuesday. “We can’t let folks forget that. We can’t allow this to be normalized.”

This Latest Shooter an Ex-Military Man

The shooter lived five miles from the bar where he is alleged to have opened fire late Wednesday night.

Lt. Gov. Newsom who was just elected California’s governor, said gun advocates and certain politicians have “normalized” mass shootings in the U.S. Newsom is a supporter of gun control and says he has no sympathy for gun advocates who don’t want common sense regulations.

Newsom said Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus, killed in the rampage, is a hero for his “act of courage, and act of bravery.”

A statement issued by Cal State University Northridge said the shooter, 28-year-old Long, is a former student. He last attended the university in 2016. 

America has postponed its show at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza tonight. The rock band known for songs like “Ventura Highway” and “A Horse With No Name,” postponed the show out of respect for those killed and the grieving families.

The shooting underscores the need for mental health assistance for veterans and stronger gun control laws.

Here is a partial list of services and vigils

Pepperdine prayer service 

Ascension Lutheran

City of Thousand Oaks

Ventura Candlelight Vigil

Cal Lutheran

 

VIDEO – CNN interviews survivor John Hedge:

John Hedge tells of shooting inside bar - Courtesy CNN
John Hedge tells of shooting inside bar – Courtesy CNN