The father of a man gunned down in the California bar mass shooting has told of his horror at discovering his son was among the 12 killed.
“They found him,” Jason Coffman told reporters, his voice breaking, at the scene of the Thousand Oaks shooting on Friday.
“I’ve been here fighting for him all morning long - and we did just get the news that he was one of the [people] killed last night. He was Cody Coffman, my first-born son.”
Cody Coffman was among 12 people killed when former US Marine Ian David Long, who had served in Afghanistan, entered the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California, and opened fire
Cody Coffman, 22, was among the dead after a gunman opened fire in a Californian bar. Source: Facebook
Long apparently took his own life after being confronted by police officers inside the bar and authorities believe the .45 pistol used in the mass shooting had been outfitted with an extended magazine.
Jason Coffman said he spoke with his son as the 22-year-old headed out for the night with friends.
“Last thing he said was, ‘Dad, I love you,’” he said.
“Oh. son I love you so much. Oh heavenly father, please be with him. Cody was the big brother that my kids need.”
Grieving people are led into the Thousand Oaks Teen Center where families have gathered after the deadly shooting at a bar. Source: AP
Mr Coffman said Cody, who had two younger brothers and a sister “on the way”, was talking to US Army recruiters about enlisting and “doing his thing he had to do”.
“He wanted to be a big brother to the sister that’s coming,” he said.
"I just want him to know that he, he's gonna be missed.”
Jason Coffman (right) sobbed as he recalled authorities telling him that his oldest son Cody Coffman had been killed in the bar shooting. Source: NCB
Mr Coffman was one of numerous parents frantically calling their loved ones’ phones after news of the shooting broke.
Others rushed from local hospital to hospital in search of news, with at least 22 people taken from the bar to various hospitals with gunshot wounds.
Forensic officers work at the scene of the mass shooting. Source: AP
Witnesses have described chaotic scenes as the bar – packed mostly with local university students – as victims attempted to flee the shooter.
Many survivors said they were alive because of complete strangers who put their own bodies on the line.
Sheriff Geoff Dean of Ventura County police said at least six off-duty officers were at the bar, which was hosting a country music night.
One parents told reporters those officers “stood in front of my daughter” when Long opened fire.
Other patrons smashed through a window and helped people flee through it.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Veterans & Families Counselling (24/7): 1800 011 046
