The niece of “Sister, Sister” actress Tamera Mowry-Housley and her husband Adam Housley was among the victims in a mass shooting at Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Wednesday night.
The couple searched for their niece, Alaina Housley, for hours before learning she was one of the 12 who were killed after a gunman opened fire in the venue. The shooter, identified by authorities as former Marine Ian David Long, is believed to have killed himself.
“Our hearts are broken,” the pair said in a joint 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.”
Mowry first responded to a tweet from her niece’s suitemate, who said Alaina Housley was still missing after the shooting. “Ashely this is her aunt Tamera Mowry Housley. Can you please DM me your information?” the actress asked.
My suitemate is still missing, she is wearing denim shorts, a blue flannel and sneakers, pls let me know if you know anything #Borderline pic.twitter.com/t1nUHneChW
— Ashley (@amowreader) November 8, 2018
The suitemate replied saying she had already been in contact with Housley, who is a former Fox News correspondent. “Unfortunately there’s nothing new to report at the moment,” she said.
Ok. Thank you. Is she the only one unaccounted for?
— Tamera Mowry-Housley (@TameraMowryTwo) November 8, 2018
After a Twitter user offered her prayers, Mowry responded saying, “We haven’t found her yet. It’s been 7 hrs since the shooting.”
We haven’t found her yet. It’s been 7 hrs since the shooting.
— Tamera Mowry-Housley (@TameraMowryTwo) November 8, 2018
Housley wrote, “Staying positive and praying and hoping and wishing there was more I could do.”
Staying positive and praying and hoping and wishing there was more I could do. https://t.co/sp9I9dLXsq
— Adam Housley (@adamhousley) November 8, 2018
Tamera’s twin sister, Tia, also posted on social media to ask her followers for any updates. “Alaina Housely we are praying. We love u! If you know anything of any information please let us know.”
Alaina Housely we are praying. We love u! If you know anything of any information please let us know. We love you! #borderline https://t.co/9PeK5Yqxrq
— Tia Mowry (@TiaMowry) November 8, 2018
Borderline Bar and Grill, a popular country venue, was hosting its weekly college night when the attack occurred on Wednesday. Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean said an investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear what motivated the attack.
This is the second mass shooting in the U.S. in less than two weeks. On Oct. 27, a gunman killed 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh.