The "Sister, Sister" star and her husband released a statement on the passing of 18-year-old Alaina Housley.
In the hours after Wednesday's shooting at a California bar, "Sister, Sister" star Tamera Mowry-Housley pleaded for help finding her missinng niece, 18-year-old Alaina Housley.
But later on Thursday, the actress and her husband, former Fox News correspondent Adam Housley, shared that they had received some devastating news: Alaina was among the shooting's 12 victims.
"Our hearts are broken," the couple said in a statement. "We just learned that our niece Alaina was one of the victims of last night’s shooting at Borderline bar in Thousand Oaks. Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner.
"We thank everyone for your prayers and ask for privacy at this time."
The Pepperdine University student was last seen with friends inside Borderline Bar & Grill when the gunman opened fire just before midnight in Thousand Oaks.
"My suitemate is still missing," her friend posted on Twitter. "Please let me know if you know anything."
But as the hours passed, things looked more and more dire. Alaina's Apple Watch and phone showed she was still inside the bar, on the dance floor.
Hours later, Alaina was confirmed dead.
Also killed was Sgt. Ron Helus, who was shot several times while responding to the massacre. On Thursday, thousands of mourners gathered on the streets as police officers moved his body. A 29-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, he planned to retire next year.
Helus was the proud dad of a son, Jordan, and happily married to wife Karen. She spoke to him minutes before he was gunned down.
"Sgt. Helus was having a conversation with his wife on the phone as he does several times during his shift and said, ‘Hey I gotta go handle a call, I love you, I’ll talk to you later,” Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean told reporters Thursday.
They would be his final words to her.
Another victim, Cody Coffman, 22, an avid athlete who played football and baseball in high school. He was also a role model for his two younger brothers.
Three miles from the carnage, a family reunification center has been established here at Thousand Oaks Teen Center. There, emotions are unbelievably high as dozens of people are inside anxiously waiting to hear if their loved ones are alive or dead.
A young woman named Jenny broke down crying in front of Inside Edition’s cameras in the midst of search for her missing best friend, Noelle Sparks. She spoke to her last night but has not heard from her since the shooting, she said.
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