Thousand Oaks Gunman Was CSUN Student

NORTHRIDGE, CA — The former Marine who killed 12 people and wounded others in a mass shooting at a Thousand Oaks bar Wednesday night was a student at Cal State Northridge.

Ian David Long, 28, studied athletic training in Northridge from 2013-16, a spokeswoman for CSUN said. He did not graduate from the college.

Long referenced his studies in a post he wrote on a military forum called Shadowspear last year, according to CNN. He was looking forward to graduating, but for some reason he never finished his studies.

"I was honorably discharged in 2013. I am graduating with a B.S. in Athletic Training in two months," he wrote. "I found out a little too late that just wasn't the job for me. Maybe the ego got the better of me but it took only one time for a 19 year old D-2 athlete to talk down to me and tell me how to do my job that I realized this wasn't the career I wanted to head."

On Thursday university officials offered condolences to the community. Several college students were at the Borderline Bar & Grill when the shooting broke out because it was college night at the bar.

"On behalf of California State University, Northridge, our hearts and thoughts are with the victims, survivors, first responders and loved ones affected by the horrific massacre that occurred in Thousand Oaks last night," CSUN President Dianne Harrison said in a statement.

"... I know that many in the community have been impacted by this terrible tragedy. I ask that faculty and supervisors be supportive and considerate of anyone who has been touched by this tragedy. Also, please know that University Counseling Services has people available at (818) 677-2366 if you or someone you know need assistance or support. As members of the Matador family, I ask that our campus come together and support one another during this troubling time."

Harrison added that in accordance with an order issued by the White House, U.S. flags at the campus will be flown at half-staff until sunset Saturday.

City News Service contributed to this report. Photo: This 2017 photo from the California Department of Motor Vehicles shows Ian David Long. Authorities said the Marine combat veteran opened fire Wednesday evening, Nov. 7, 2018, at a country music bar in Southern California, killing multiple people before apparently taking his own life. (California Department of Motor Vehicles via AP)