Photo Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Twelve Thousand Oaks, Calif residents lost their lives last Wednesday (Nov. 7) after “bored” gunman Ian David Long opened fire inside a local bar. Among the deceased was soon-to-retire Sgt. Ron Helus, a 29-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and 18-year-old Alaina Housley, a freshman at Pepperdine University and the niece of actress and talk show host Tamera Mowry-Housley.
News broke that Tamera’s niece was present at Borderline Bar & Grill when her suitemate, Ashley, tweeted photos of Alaina and asked anyone to reach out if they knew anything about her whereabouts. The talk show host saw the tweet and immediately responded, saying, “Ashley this is her aunt Tamera Mowry Housley. Can you please DM your information?”
Ashely this is her aunt Tamera Mowry Housley. Can you please DM me your information?
— Tamera Mowry-Housley (@TameraMowryTwo) November 8, 2018
While the family spent hours trying to locate the 18-year-old freshman, her Aunt Tamera confirmed that Alaina was one of the 12 victims involved in the shooting. She then took to Instagram to share a very personal message to her niece, telling her, “You are gonna make one gorgeous angel.”
The Housley family has since received an outpour of support from family, friends, fans, and their community, and today they lay their “sweet angel” to rest.
Heartbroken about her loss, Tamera said, “Until we meet again.