1 The Thousand Oaks Shooter Was A Former Marine
We're learning more about some of the victims of Wednesday’s mass shooting at a California bar – and we’re also learning about the shooter. Police have identified the suspect as 28-year-old former Marine Ian Long. And while they don’t have a clue as to what the motive for this horrific act was, they do know Long left the Marine Corps in March 2013 after a five-year stint that included a tour in Afghanistan. He also he had several run-ins with police – and had been diagnosed with PTSD. But his interactions never went further and it appears he was never hospitalized for mental health reasons. It’s due to that fact, that he was able to legally purchase weapons. As the investigation continues – the Thousand Oaks community continues to grieve – and about two-thousand of them came together at a vigil last night.
2 Hero Sheriff Ron Helus Spoke With Wife Right Before Being Shot
How many times have you heard about someone say, “I wish could have said I love them?” In the case of Sheriff Deputy Sergeant Ron Helus, the last words his wife heard were: I love you. Helus was among one of the first to respond, immediately being hit with multiple gunshots upon entering the Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousand Oaks Wednesday night. Witnesses say he was trying to shield the young patrons inside. Officials say the hero, who died in a hail of gunfire, spoke to his wife on the phone just before his death. Sheriff Geoff Dean said Deputy Helus told her "Hon, I've got to go. I love you. I gotta go on a call." As a 29-year veteran of the force, Helus was set to retire within the next year. Sheriff Dean described him as hardworking and fully committed to his job.
3 Federal Appeals Court Says Trump Can't End DACA
A federal appeals court says President Trump cannot end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – or DACA [[DAH-kuh]] – program. As you’ll recall, DACA is the Obama-era policy that protects hundreds of thousands of so-called Dreamers, illegal immigrants who were brought to the US illegally as children. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a lower court ruling that Trump lacks the authority to veto DACA. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court – though the Justice Department hasn’t commented on the decision. Of course, back when Mr. Trump decided to pull the plug on the program in September 2017 – he urged Congress to pass legislation to solve the Dreamers issue, but nothing has been accomplished.