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The 18-year-old niece of American actress-turned talk show host Tamera Mowry-Housley, a veteran police officer and a young man who eagerly awaited the birth of his first sister have been confirmed as victims of the Thousand Oaks shooting.
They were among 12 people killed at a country music bar in Southern California.
Authorities believe the gunman, Ian David Long, ultimately killed himself after opening fire in the Borderline Bar and Grill.
Meanwhile, the mother of one victim has made an emotional appeal for gun control.
Telemachus Orfanos’ mother said in an emotional ABC USA News video posted on Twitter: “I hope to God no one sends me anymore prayers. I want gun control. No more guns!”
It’s reported Orfanos previously survived the 2017 Las Vegas shooting.
Thousand Oaks Shooting: Gunman who killed 12 was ex Navy officer
The victims’ stories began to emerge this morning as officials were still reaching out to their families.
It was going to be a “very difficult day for many people,” Thousand Oaks mayor, Andrew Fox said of last night’s attack.
Alaina Housley, 18, University student
Alaina Housley has been confirmed as a victim of the shooting.
The Pepperdine University student is the niece of actress Tamara Mowry-Housley, who appeared in the 1990s TV show Sister Sister with sister Tia Mowry and is now a talk show host with a large following.
She and her husband released a statement saying: “Our hearts are broken. We just learned that our niece Alaina was one of the victims of last night’s shooting at Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks.
“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. We thank everyone for your prayers and ask for privacy at this time”.
Sergeant Ron Helus: Ventura County Sheriff’s Department
A procession was held as Sergeant Ron Helus’s body was transported from a local hospital to the coroner’s office.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department officer was talking to his wife when calls started coming in about a shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill.
“Hey, I got to go handle a call. I love you. I’ll talk to you later,” he told her.
It was the last time she would talk to her husband.
Helus rushed toward the shooting and immediately exchanged fire with the shooter inside the bar, fellow sheriff Geoff Dean said.
Helus was hit multiple times and died at a hospital.
It is understood the experienced officer was due to retire next year.
Sergeant Eric Buschow, who said Helus was a friend, described him as a “cop’s cop.”
“The fact that he was the first in the door doesn’t surprise me at all,” he said.
“He’s just one of those guys that wouldn’t hesitate in a situation.”
Helus took up fly fishing a few years ago and loved pursuing the hobby in the Sierra Nevada mountains with his grown son, Buschow said.
“He was just a great guy, a gentle soul,” Buschow said.
“Patient. Calm no matter what. When you call 911, he’s one of the guys you want showing up.”
Helus was on the SWAT team for much of his career and worked in narcotics and investigations, he said.
“If you were a victim of a crime, you want him investigating the case,” Buschow said. “He would go to the ends of the Earth to find a suspect.”
Thousands of people lined streets and many others pulled over to honour the fallen officer during a sombre 40 kilometre procession that took Helus’ body from hospital to a coroner’s office.
Dean choked back tears talking about Helus and called him a hero.
“He went in there to save people and paid the ultimate price,” he said.
Telemachus Orfanos, 27, Navy Veteran
Telemachus Orfanos’ mother said in an emotional interview posted on Twitter: “I hope to God no one sends me anymore prayers. I want gun control. No more guns!”
According to reports the veteran also survived the Las Vegas shooting.
Cody Coffman, 22, University senior
Jason Coffman wept as he confirmed to a group of reporters that his eldest son, Cody was among the victims.
He was about to fulfil his dream of serving his country by joining the Army.
Cody adored his siblings — three brothers between ages 6 and 9 — and he couldn’t wait for the birth of a sister, due on November 29, Mr Coffman said.
“Cody was the big brother that my kids need,” he said.
“He was so excited to have his first sister and now she’ll never know …”
He trailed off, sobbing, then said, “Oh, Cody, I love you, son.”
Mr Coffman said his son was pbadionate about baseball, serving as an umpire for a little league, and they went fishing together.
“That poor boy would come with me whether he liked it or not,” he said.
“That’s the kind of stuff I am truly going to miss.”
Mr Coffman said he last spoke to his son last night before Cody headed to the bar where the gunman opened fire.
“The first thing I said was, ‘Please don’t drink and drive,’” he said.
“The last thing I said was, ‘Son, I love you.’”
Justin Meek, 23, Bar staff at Borderline
Justin Meek was a recent graduate of California Lutheran University.
The Coronado man was working behind the bar at Borderline Bar and Grill and was reportedly hit by several bullets as he tried to shield others from Long’s gunfire.
He was a Criminology and Criminal Justice major.
A candlelight vigil will be held at 7pm local time and all flags in the city of Coronado will be lowered to half-mast as a mark of respect to the victims.
Noel Sparks, 21, student
Noel Sparks, a female member of the United Methodist Church Westlake Village in Thousand Oaks, was named in a church Facebook post.
“It is with heavy hearts that we notify you that Noel Sparks was among the victims of last night’s shooting. We grieve with Tony Sparks and Wendy Anderson,” it said.
A Facebook post by a former teacher, Wendi Baity, said Noel was “a gentle spirit’.
She had previously posted on Facebook she was attending a ‘Halloween Hoedown’ College night at the bar.
Sean Adler, doorman
Mr Adler was a doorman at the venue. He had also opened his own coffee shop in August, which will be the venue for a memorial for his death. Flowers are being laid at the door. He was also a wrestling coach at a high school, which announced his death.
Daniel Manrique, 33, Marine veteran
The former Marine Corps radio operator worked for non-profit charity called Team Red, White and Blue.
His sister said on Facebook: “It is with the most shattered and heavy heart that I’m writing this post to let everyone know that Daniel Manrique was at Borderline last night. He was shot and killed in an absolutely senseless act of violence that we will never understand.
“I have no doubt that he died a hero, shielding others from gunshots.”
Kristina Morsette
The bar’s cashier.
Blake Dingman, 21
Identified by his girlfriend, according to reports Mr Dingman was a big baseball fan whose brother went searching for him at the venue last night after news of the shooting broke.
Jake Dunham, 21
Reported to be friends with Mr Dingman.
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018
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