On the night of November 7, 2018, 28-year-old Marine Corps veteran Ian David Long opened fire on the 259 patrons and employees of the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks, California with the sole purpose of targeting as many college students as possible. Over the course of 20 minutes, Long issued multiple attacks on the establishment using a .45-caliber handgun illegally fitted with a high capacity magazine, ending in the fatal shooting of 12 people before Long committed suicide.
In this case study, author Maryam Razzaq discusses the epidemiological aspects and management of this fatal event as well as the communication involved between local law enforcement, the media, and the public. While an extensive epidemiological study has not been conducted, Razzaq discusses the details of a 2021 report released by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office which describes Long’s potential motive, risk factors including his mental health, and eye-witness testimony. During the event, on-site command posts and off-site information centers were effective in coordinating operations and managing the influx of media and concerned family members safely. However, the first choice of placement of the command post was not appropriate and may have hindered early assessment of the scene and rapid deployment of resources.
Razzaq also explains the utilization of social media before, during, and after the shooting as a conduit of real-time information while also describing the criticism faced by the Ventura County Sheriff’s office on their lack of transparency with the public during such a confusing and stressful situation. Overall, Razzaq stresses the importance of gun legislation reform as well the need to strengthen the public’s education and accessibility of the law as a preventative measure.
Download the case study here.