Yet another mass shooting has occurred in America, this time it was right here in Ventura County.

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, at about 11 p.m., 28-year-old gunman Ian David Long of Newbury Park forced his way into the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, where he shot and killed 12 people. Long then took his own life.

“It’s scary to think that it could happen anywhere,” said Denise Erazo, a CI senior. “We aren’t safe anywhere we go and it’s like we have to live with the constant fear that it could happen again.”

Prior to Long’s arrival, it was just a regular night out for many students in the surrounding area. Borderline was hosting its usual college night where students who are 18 or older are allowed in the bar. Students from nearby colleges, including Cal State Channel Islands, California Lutheran University, Pepperdine University, and Moorpark College, were in attendance.

According to reports, Long first shot a security guard at the entrance and then a worker at the front desk. As he entered the bar, Long threw in a smoke bomb and began shooting bullets on the dance floor using a Glock 21 .45-caliber handgun with an extended, illegal, magazine.

The first calls came in around 11:26 p.m., and Sgt. Ron Helus

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of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department was one of many first responders. When he arrived on scene he rushed into the bar, where he was shot and killed.

Among those killed was Adolfo Camarillo High School graduate Cody Coffman, 22.

CI teacher Mr. John Grennan played softball with Coffman in Camarillo for the past three years.

Coffman was at the beginning of an important step in life — he was on his way to joining the Army, Mr. Grennan said.

“He was a talented player: big bat, great arm, surprisingly quick on his feet for a big kid. You could tell he loved the game,” Mr. Grennan said.

At his funeral service on Wednesday night, survivors of the shooting said that Coffman died a hero, shielding four girls as the gunman began shooting. Those girls survived the massacre and it was all because of his act of courage, they said at the service.

“Cody was out doing what all parents would want for their sons or daughters: spending time with friends, making memories, enjoying life. It’s just heartbreaking,” said Mr. Grennan.

Others who died in the shooting were:  Sean Adler, 48; Blake Dingman, 21; Jacob Dunham, 21; Alaina Housley, 18; Dan Manrique, 33; Justin Meek, 23; Mark Meza, 20; Kristina Morisette, 20; Telemachus Orfanos, 27; and Noel Sparks, 21.