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Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018
Volume 112 | Issue 6
Guns and Mental Health: The Ugly Truth Societal concerns arise, as veteran kills 12 people in a Southern California bar MOURNING A BIG LOSS: Residents of Thousand Oaks and surrounding communities gathered to honor those who lost their lives in a mass shooting at a local bar.
By Marian Sahakyan Editor-in-Chief Three hundred and twenty three — the total number of mass shootings this year. Three hundred and thirty-three — the number of days so far this year. A closer look paints a grim picture, as the statistics show an average of one mass shooting a day. We as Americans, have become so immune to hearing about mass shootings that we have adapted a hopeless attitude when thinking about the possible resolution of this issue. This time, one hit close to home. It forces our hand. We must have a difficult conversation that is often easier to ignore.
Just 36 miles northwest of Glendale sits Thousand Oaks — a city known for being among the safest in the country. In the recent weeks, however, the suburban town found itself in the ranks of places affected by a mass shooting in America. It was a weekly tradition at the Borderline Bar and Grill to host “College Night,” where dozens of students from neighboring universities and colleges gathered for an evening of letting loose in a social environment marked by country music, beer, pool, and good times. Some laughed, others danced. It was just a few weeks ahead of finals for these students and young patrons. The evening couldn’t get better. Up to the moment where a black-clad gunman opened fire in
this jam-packed college bar on Nov. 7. The bouncer was the first one down. Then it was the barman, a recent college graduate. Seconds later another shot was fired. Then another. And just like that, in the matter of 15 monstrous minutes, the crazed assassin left behind 150 bullets. 12 lives were lost. 13 people were injured. And those who did survive the gunshots, may never survive the trauma. The shooter’s body was found in a bath of his own blood, in the back room of the bar. He had killed himself, too. Ian David Long, the man accused of the mass killing, once attended California State University, Northridge. He was also a combat veteran of the Afghanistan war and a former machine gunner in the army. He
Ethan DeHoyos / Staff Photographer
had the experience to understand weapons. Potentially, moreover, he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People noticed, but not a lot could be done. The combination of knowing about weapons and PTSD made him deadly. The Back Story On his block, Long was known as a man who was mostly quiet and reserved, but would have episodes of erratic behavior and mental breakdowns. His series of encounters with the police further proved the aforementioned. [See ‘Guns and Mental Health,’ page 2]
Newsroom Raises Funds, Gathers Goods for Food Pantry In the spirit of giving, El Vaquero staff rallies donations By El Vaquero Staff Somewhere near four out of 10 students who attend college or university have experienced “low” or “very low” food insecurity, according to a survey from HOPE Lab, an advocacy group that seeks greater access to affordable higher education. The same report from HOPE Lab also found that 46 percent of community college students had experienced some level of homelessness, compared to 36 percent of fouryear college students. It was with this kind of understanding that Glendale College launched its own GCC Food for Thought Pantry. El Vaquero newspaper wanted to play a small role in helping during the holiday season and launched its “21 Days of Gratitude.” In that time, the newsroom, led by
staffers Carolina Diaz and Alin Pasokhian, gathered over 15 grocery bags of items and $50 in cash donations. “For me, what made me launch this event was the fact that for a while I knew how people struggle with food,” said Diaz. “Once the struggle I went through was over, it made me realize that I wanted to help somehow.” Diaz said that since GCC already had an existing pantry, it made perfect sense to collaborate. At GCC, it’s estimated that up to 25 percent of students have severe food insecurity. Indeed, an overwhelming correlation has been found in studies on college performance and food scarcity, which prompted the Academic Senate to come up with a pantry as a solution. “Some students may know about the services of the Food for Thought Pan-
try, but they might be shy or embarrassed about their financial situation to go receive help,” said Diaz. “I don’t think a lot of students know about the Food for Thought Pantry and it is a shame, as they are a great at helping students in need and completely anonymous.” Exact numbers on food insecurity are hard to gauge, mostly because of a lack of data and shame that surrounds poverty. However, study after study continues to paint a picture that shows many of those students seeking a better life through a college education have experienced hard times. “I remember in 2016 when they launched the pantry,” said James OjanoSimonsson, who also helped the El Vaquero donation drive and was struck by the number of students waiting to be assisted
when he dropped off goods. “Seeing it now two years later it’s clear they’re making a huge difference for students who are struggling.” Send emails or letters to El Vaquero Newpaper at elvaq.gcc@gmail.com.
IN THIS ISSUE News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5 Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 Opinion/Letters. . . . . 9-10 Sports .. . . . . . . . . . 11 - 1 2 Entertainment. . . . . 13-15 Illustration. . . . . . . . . . . 16