One California man who survived the massacre at a bar in Grand Oaks Wednesday night is apologizing for fleeing the scene after saving his son from the attack.
At least 12 people were killed by the 28-year-old gunman and at least 21 others were injured.
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The survivor said he was at the bar, which was hosting a college “Country Night,” with his stepson when he first heard the shots ring out. Initially, his son thought it was a joke, until his stepdad pulled him down to the ground.
Absolutely heartbreaking interview from witness with @ABC7Jory at scene of reported mass shooting at #Borderline in #ThousandOaks. “They’re so young, this shouldn’t have happened to them.” pic.twitter.com/gwHU4XCfaO
— Greg Lee (@abc7greg) November 8, 2018
“I looked up and [the suspect] was moving to the right, and he shot the front … the front doorman, bouncer; just a young man,” the father said. “And then, then he shot the cashier; just a young girl.”
Through tears, the middle-aged survivor said he “should’ve stayed … but I was worried about my boy.”
“I apologize to anybody who got hurt, or passed, I’m sorry,” he said, weeping. “They’re all young. I’m 56; I’ve lived life — they’re all young. This shouldn’t have happened to them.”
The attack first began around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday. Roughly 30 shots were reported. The gunman ultimately turned the gun on himself. A motive has not yet been determined.