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Twelve people have been killed after a gunman opened fire in a bar and restaurant in California that was packed with teenagers.
Terrified people inside Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks hid under tables or dived out windows during the shooting which happened on a college night at roughly 11.20pm on Wednesday.
Sergeant Ron Helus was shot by the the trenchcoat-wearing gunman, who was armed with a semi-automatic weapon, and died at a nearby hospital.
He was a 29-year veteran of the force and planned to retire next year.
The gunman, dressed in black, was shot and killed inside the bar. American media have said he was a 29-year-old man.
One witness told ABC7 that the gunman walked up to a security guard shot him before entering the restaurant and opening fire at random.
He also threw smoke grenades around the dance floor area which was said to be 'very crowded'. Police have not confirmed the use of smoke devices.