12 killed, including sheriff's deputy in Thousand Oaks

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -  A gunman shot and killed 12 people, including a sheriff's deputy at a bar in the Southern California city of Thousand Oaks late Wednesday.

 Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean says sheriff's Sgt. Ron Helus responded to the scene and was shot after he entered the building. 

Police were called to the Borderline Bar & Grill, at 11:20 p.m. PST Wednesday.

 Another 10 TO 12 people were injured.

The mass shooting happened inside the crowded country dance bar, as witnesses described a chaotic scene as panicked patrons smashed windows to get out.

The gunman died inside the bar, police said. 

Ventura County sheriff's Sgt. Eric Buschow did not say how the gunman died. 

Several people from inside the bar told TV stations that a tall man wearing all black with a hood and his face partly covered first shot at a person working the door, then opened fire, seemingly at random, at the people inside. 

 Authorities do not know whether this was terrorism-related, but say there are no indications so far. 

  People screamed and fled to all corners of the bar, while a few people threw barstools through the windows and helped dozens escape, witnesses said.  
 It was college night and country two-step lessons were being offered Wednesday at the Borderline, according to its website.  

Thousand Oaks, a city of about 130,000 people, is about 40 miles west of Los Angeles.

This story was reported from Oakland, Calif.