Gunman Uses Smoke Grenades and Shoots at Least Six at California Country Music Bar

A gunman opened fire at a country music bar in the city of Thousand Oaks, California, injuring multiple people.

At least six people were shot at the Borderline Bar and Grill on Wednesday, Nov. 7, according to the Associated Press, including a deputy sheriff and a doorman.

The shooter reportedly stormed into the venue wearing a black trench coat, armed with smoke grenades and a firearm with a high-capacity magazine.

A sheriff’s captain said that the threat was still active and the shooter was still at large after opening fire.

“I don’t know what the status of those six are. And I don’t know if one of the six is the shooter or not. It’s still very fluid, and I hope to give you guys updates in terms of both the number and the status of the shooter,” said Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Garo Kuredjian.

A witness told ABC Los Angeles station KABC-TV that he saw a security guard get shot, adding that the gunman appeared to use “a big handgun” and smoke grenades.

“The gunman was throwing smoke grenades all over the place,” a different witness told KABC. “I saw him point to the back of the cash register ... and he just kept firing. I ran out the front door.

“There was probably three or four [shots]. I hit the ground. I look up—the security guard is dead. Well, I don’t want to say he was dead, but he was shot. He was down.”

The Ventura County Fire Department tweeted, “Please stay away from area. Active law enforcement incident. Multiple injuries reported. Details still being determined. Multiple ambulances requested.”

Kuredjian confirmed at a news conference early Thursday, Nov. 8 that a sheriff’s deputy was taken to a hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. Kuredjian did not provide information on the extent of the victims’ injuries.

The sheriff’s spokesman said the first reports of shots fired came around 11:20 p.m. at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, which is about 40 miles west of Los Angeles. He said responding deputies could hear gunshots as they arrived on scene.

Witnesses told ABC News that a man fired several shots from a handgun before tossing smoke bombs and starting to fire again.

The gunman used a semi-automatic weapon in the attack, according to the Ventura County Star.

Police told the Los Angeles Times that at least 30 shots were fired.

The bar is a country-themed bar known for its large dance floor and live music events, according to its website.

“With over 2,500 square feet of wide open dance floor, Borderline has provided a haven for country line dancing folks of all ages equipped with pool tables,” the website says. “Over the years, Borderline has hosted many legendary performances such as The Beach Boys, John Rich, Collin Raye, Mark Chesnutt, Lee Brice, Adam Carolla, and Tyler Farr to name a few.”