Desperate parents wait for word on college-aged children missing after Thousand Oaks mass shooting

As the investigation into Wednesday night’s fatal mass shooting at a country music venue in Southern California continues, the parents of a young man believed to have been at the bar are running out of hope that he’s okay.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, 13 people, including the gunman and a police officer, were killed in the shooting at Borderline Bar and Grill in Thousands Oaks on Wednesday night, when the popular venue was hosting a “Country Music” night.

The gunman has not been identified, and authorities have released only the name of the police officer killed: Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus, a 29-year veteran of the Ventura County Police who was the first or among the first to respond to the scene.

The father of a 22-year-old man told Buzzfeed News that he hasn’t heard from his son, and worries that he was killed.

Jason Coffman, 41, told the news outlet that friends of his son Cody Coffman, who were with him at the bar, came to the elder Coffman’s home late Wednesday night to tell him and his wife about the shooting.

“They made it,” Coffman said. “He didn’t.”

Coffman said he knew his son was going to Borderline Bar and Grill on Wednesday, and that it was a place he frequented, as his father did when he was his son’s age. As of about 3 a.m. Pacific time, the Coffmans had not heard from Cody.

“My son is smart enough to get to the nearest phone to call,” Coffman told Buzzfeed News. “I haven’t got it yet.”

Adam Housley, a former Fox News reporter, told the Los Angeles Times that he is desperately searching for his 18-year-old niece, who was at the bar with friends Wednesday night. The friends escaped, and Adam told the newspaper that his niece’s iPhone locator is showing her on the dance floor of Borderline Bar and Grill.

“My gut is saying she’s inside the bar, dead,” he said. “I’m hoping I’m wrong.”

One of Ashley’s roommates posted a message on Twitter looking for her.

A local reporter said in a post on Twitter that “Authorities have set up a family unification center at 1375 E. Janss Rd. in Thousand Oaks. For info call 805-465-6650.”

[Feature image: RMG News via AP]