Calif. Gunman Fatally Shot Himself, Autopsy Finds

Investigators are still trying to find a motive in mass shooting at Thousand Oaks bar
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Nov 11, 2018 8:54 AM CST
Autopsy: Shot That Killed Calif. Gunman Was Self-Inflicted
A picture of Noel Sparks is seen during a candlelight vigil in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. A gunman opened fire Wednesday evening inside a country music bar, killing multiple people.   (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

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. 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. 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 AP 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. (A former teacher says Long assaulted her in high school.)

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