At least 13 confirmed dead in California bar shooting

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00:57

At least 13 people were killed, including a police officer and the gunman, and over a dozen wounded in a shooting at a bar in Thousand Oaks in Southern California on Wednesday night, according to the Ventura County sheriff's spokesperson.

Ventura County Sheriff's Sergeant Ron Helus, who later died in the hospital, had tried to enter the active scene with a local highway patrolman when he was shot several times.

The husband and father-of-one had been a policeman for 29 years and was due to retire next year.

The shooter, who fired at least 30 shots, has been confirmed deceased inside the bar, said the spokesperson.

Police cars outside the bar in Thousand Oaks, Southern California, November 7, 2018. / VCG Photo

The shooting occurred at around 11:20 p.m. local time about 65 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles, said the police.

The gunman reportedly threw smoke bombs and forced his way inside the Borderline Bar and Grill where hundreds of people were inside.

The motive of the shooter remains unclear.

A massive police presence and at least four ambulances were reportedly at the scene after the attack took place.

A “College Country” night was being held at the bar at the time of the shooting, according to the bar's website.

What have witnesses said?

01:07

Witnesses described the suspect as a man who possibly had a beard and had a scarf on his face.

An unnamed witness said: "We heard a lot of gunshots, a lot of gunshots, a lot..."

"He (the shooter) was dressed almost all black and he's a taller white man. It was really really shocking..." another witness recalled.

People reportedly escaped the bar by using chairs to break windows, while others reportedly sheltered inside the bar's toilets.

What have others said?

A screenshot of US President Donald Trump's Twitter after the bar shooting in California.

US President Donald Trump said he was "fully briefed on the terrible shooting" via his Twitter after the attack.

Ventura County Sherriff Geoff Dean described the scene inside the bar as "horrific" and said there was "blood everywhere."

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