[Update: 6:23 p.m.]: In a statement shared online by Alaina Housley’s uncle, Adam Housley, Alaina’s parents—Arik and Hannah—said, “Words can’t describe our grief over losing our daughter, Alaina. She was everything we could hope for in a child: kind, smart, beautiful and respectful.”
Alaina was one of 12 victims of the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting.
Alaina’s parents flew in from Napa Valley earlier today, Nov. 8, as confirmed by the Pepperdine Graphic.
“She would have enjoyed the public debate that is certain to happen after this tragedy. But she would have insisted that it be respectful with an eye toward solving these senseless shootings,” the family statement read.
Alaina followed in the footsteps of her parents and uncle, who all attended Pepperdine as well.
[Update: 12:10 p.m.]: Pepperdine University freshman Alaina Housley was among the victims of the Borderline Bar & Grill.
In a statement to various news outlets, her aunt, actress Tamera Mowry-Housley, and uncle, former Fox News correspondent Adam Housley, confirmed the death.
“Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner,” the shared statement read, according to ABC7 News.
According to Pepperdine student Logan Hall, with NewsWaves32, Housley was 18 years old at the time. She was majoring in English at the university.
Pepperdine spokesperson Alex Forero confirmed the death to The Malibu Times.
[Update: 11:46 a.m.]: Pepperdine University confirmed 16 of its students were at Borderline Bar & Grill when the shooting occurred.
“One of those students remains unaccounted for, and we know of two students who were treated and released from a local hospital,” the online statement read.
The student was identified as freshman Alaina Housley. The Pepperdine Graphic reported Housley was still missing as of 11 a.m.
“My suitemate is still missing, she is wearing denim shorts, a blue flannel and sneakers, pls let me know if you know anything #Borderline,” her roommate shared in a tweet.
The university is holding a prayer service in light of the shooting and victims at noon at the Smothers Theatre on campus.
Another blood drive is being held at the Best Western Plus Thousand Oaks Inn, located at 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks., as confirmed by NBC News.
[Update: 8:40 a.m.]: A blood drive has been established to help Los Robles Hospital. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at La Reina High School. Appointments to donate blood can be made at 877-25-VITAL.
Donors with O negative blood are especially needed for the patients in critical condition.
La Reina is located at 106 W. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.
A mass shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks late Wednesday night, Nov. 7, left 13 people dead—including the gunman.
It was “College Country Night” at the Western-style bar; Pepperdine University and California Lutheran University students were confirmed to be at the bar when the shooting started.
As reported by the Washington Post, calls about the shooting came in at about 11:20 p.m. Wednesday.
Authorities said people in the bar immediately ran for exits, some heading out the window after it was broken and some hiding in the attic or the bathroom, or under tables.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Ron Helus and a California Highway Patrol were among the first to respond to the incident. Helus was wounded and later died after responding to the emergency calls. He was a 29-year veteran of the department.
“There’s no doubt they saved lives,” Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said in a press conference. “I’ve heard [there were] anywhere between 150-200 people [inside].”
Dean said six off-duty police officers were also at the venue, and helped protect others.
He said one person suffered from a minor gunshot injury and another 8-15 other people suffered from minor injuries—”mostly cuts.” They were transported to a hospital.
The gunman was identified as 28-year-old Ian David Long, a Newbury Park resident and Marine Corps veteran, by Dean. He reportedly drove to the scene before opening fire.
He later died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The gun, legally purchased, was identified as a .45-caliber Glock 21 designed in California to hold 10 rounds. The gunman had illegally purchased and added an extended magazine for more rounds.
Though witnesses reported seeing smoke bombs at the time, Dean could not confirm its use.
Dean told reporters that the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are working with the sheriff’s department on the incident.
In a social media post, Pepperdine University said, “The University has determined that multiple Pepperdine students were on site at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks. At this time, the University is working to identify and provide support to those students.”
Cal Lutheran has cancelled classes for the day.
A procession will be held for Helus in a few hours at 10 a.m. According to an alert from Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, he will be transported from Los Robles Hospital to westbound Janss Road, and later to Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.
A family reunification center was set up at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center, located at 1375 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. An emergency hotline can be reached at 805.465.6650.
This news brief will be updated as more information is made available.
