Actress Tamera Mowry-Housley, husband confirm niece was killed in California shooting

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Actress Tamera Mowry-Housley and her husband Adam Housley have confirmed that their niece, Alaina, is one of 12 victims of a mass shooting in California. The 18-year-old was a freshman at Pepperdine University, officials said.

The couple released this statement Thursday afternoon after spending hours frantically trying to find her through social media.

“Our hearts are broken. We just leaned 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.”

Our ABC affiliate ABC7 News said Housley was from Napa County and her family owned at least three businesses there.

Mowry first began exchanging messages with her niece's suitemates early Thursday morning when they said she was missing on Twitter.

What we know about the victims and the latest on the investigation into the shooting on Channel 2 Action News at 5 p.m.

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After the young woman's roommate posted a message on Twitter, which read that her friends had gone out dancing and, "My suitemate is still missing, she is wearing denim shorts, a blue flannel and sneakers, pls let me know if you know anything," the actress addressed her directly, writing, "Ashley this is her aunt Tamera Mowry-Housley. Can you please DM me your information?"

The two had been going back and forth for most of the day trying to find out anything they could about her whereabouts or status.

RELATED: [Thousand Oaks shooting: Officer who rushed in to confront gunman died 'a hero']

The actress and "Real" host asked questions like, "Do you know what hospitals she could be at?" and "Is she the only one unaccounted for?"

Her roommate was also in contact with Adam Housley said Alaina is the only one of her friends not accounted for at the time, adding, "Yes, all the other girls are safe."

Adam Housley spoke to the Los Angeles Times earlier Thursday and said his niece's Apple Watch and iPhone's location still puts her at the bar.

“My gut is saying she’s inside the bar, dead. I’m hoping I’m wrong,” he told the paper.

RELATED: [Here's what we know about the gunman who killed 12 at a California bar]

Mowry-Housley's sister and fellow actress, Tia Mowry, also took to Instagram to write, "Alaina Housely we are praying. We love u! If you know anything or any information please let us know. We love you! #borderline."

Authorities say the bar, which was hosting a weekly college night, was filled when they responded to a shooting just before midnight. The lone suspect, 28-year-old Ian David Long, was later found dead inside the bar.

Cox Media Group