Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Sheriff’s Report: ‘We Will Likely Never Know’ Motivation Behind Borderline Mass Shooting
Mourners at a 2018 vigil for Borderline shooting victims hug Jason Coffman (l) and his wife Shari (r), the parents of victim Cody Coffman. (Barbara Davidson/Getty Images)
()
More than two years after a man fatally shot 11 people at the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, a report released today by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department concludes that “we will likely never know the true motivation” for the attack.
The shooter, Ian David Long, a 28-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, killed 11 patrons and staff before taking his own life.
Ventura Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus also died during the incident. He was accidentally shot by a CHP officer as they exchanged fire with the shooter.
“The suspect did not leave behind a manifesto outlining his reasoning for the killings, nor did he leave behind a vast digital footprint that might have provided investigators with pertinent data to evaluate and interpret,” the report said. “Efforts to pinpoint either a triggering mechanism or a time frame when the suspect put his plan in motion presented a challenge.”
Support for LAist comes from
At the same time, there is some evidence of Long’s state of mind leading up to, and during, the attack. For nearly a year before the massacre, he visited websites that “demonstrate a propensity for mass violence, suicide, and murder,” according to the report.
It also reveals a second Facebook post Long wrote during the incident. (A post in which he mocked society’s “hopes and prayers” after mass shootings has been previously reported.)
“It’s too bad I won’t get to see all the illogical and pathetic reasons people will put in my mouth as to why I did it,” the report quotes Long as writing. “Fact is I had no reason to do it, and just thought…f--- it, life is boring so why not?”
The report includes a list of recommendations on how first responders in Ventura County can improve how they handle mass casualty events.
One addressed an issue raised by LAist at the time: Deputies waited 36 minutes after Helus was shot before making a second entry into the bar to help the wounded. That was in part because they were waiting for a SWAT captain to arrive, according to the department.
The report said active shooter training should teach deputies to be more adaptable and that they don’t always have to wait for SWAT.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist