Multiple injuries in mass shooting at California bar: authorities

Multiple people are believed to have been injured in a shooting at a bar in southern California, local authorities say.

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Captain said at least six people were shot when a suspect opened fire in the crowded bar in Thousand Oaks, about 50km west of Los Angeles.

Garo Kuredjian said at a news conference early on Thursday that the sheriff’s deputy was also among the injured and has been taken to a hospital.

Earlier, police told the Los Angeles Times that at least 30 shots were fired at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks.

Al Jazeera’s Rob Reynolds, reporting from Washington DC, said the bar was packed with college students before the gunman forced his way in.

“The gunman used an automatic weapon and also threw in some sort of smoke bombs in to the crowd in the club,” he said.

The extent of the victims’ injuries has not yet been released. Law enforcement and emergency crews were flooding the scene.

Authorities urged the public to avoid the area.

More soon…