thousand oaks mass shooting

Hero saves as many as 30 people during Thousand Oaks shooting

Thursday, November 8, 2018
A man helped rescue possibly as many as 30 people after shots were fired at a bar in Thousand Oaks late Wednesday night.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- A man helped rescue as many as 30 people during a shooting at a Thousand Oaks nightclub that left 13 people dead, including the shooter.

Matt Wennerstrom said he immediately recognized the sound of gunfire. He smashed a window with a barstool to rescue people in the bar as the shooting was taking place.
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"We probably pushed 30 or 35 people through that window," Wennerstrom said.

PHOTOS: Deadly shooting in Thousand Oaks nightclub
People stand in a parking lot along South Moorpark Road in the aftermath of a mass shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill, on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.none
Potential witnesses sit near the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif., where a gunman opened fire Wednesday inside a crowded country music bar.none
Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean speaks to reporters near the scene in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.none
Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean speaks to reporters near the scene in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.none
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A witness talks to reporters outside a country music bar and dance hall in Thousand Oaks after a gunman barged into a large, crowded venue and opened fire late November 07, 2018.none
A forensics team gets ready work the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
An FBI agent works the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
A forensics team works the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
A forensics team works the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
A forensics team works the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
People comfort each other as they stand near the scene Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, in Thousand Oaks, Calif.none
People comfort each other after gunman opens fire on a nightclub in California.none
An FBI agent talks to a potential witness at a shooting at a California nightclub.none
Two young ladies comfort each other after a shooting at a California nightclub.none
People walk away from the scene after a gunman opens fire on a nightclub in California.none
People comfort each other after gunman opens fire on a nightclub in California, killing at least 11.none
Sheriff's deputy speaks to a potential witness outside of a California nightclub where a gunman opened fire, killing at least 11.none
People comfort each other outside California nightclub after gunman opens fire, killing at least 11.none
Sheriff's deputies speak to a potential witness after gunman opens fire inside a country dance bar, wounding 11 people including a deputy who rushed to the scene.none
Two men embrace after a mass shooting at California nightclub.none
Two men embrace after a mass shooting at California nightclub.none
Authorities rush to the scene after a gunman opens fire on a nightclub in California.none


Blood was visible on the sleeve of his shirt.


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"All I did was grab as many people as I could and pull them underneath the table until I heard a break in the shots, and then we got people out of there, as much as we could," he said.
One woman who went through the window was in tears describing the event.



Wennerstrom, who said he visits Borderline every week, said all he wanted to do was get his friends to safety.

Thousand Oaks shooting: Sheriff Sergeant Ron Helus was 'hard working, dedicated' and 'died a hero'
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Ron Helus/Facebook



The shooting happened around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday at Borderline Bar & Grill. Authorities said hundreds of people were inside the bar when the gunfire rang out.



The shooting left 12 people dead, including a Ventura County sheriff's sergeant, authorities said.



Authorities said the suspect was killed inside the venue.
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