'Devastated' Disney star Tamera Mowry-Housley reveals her niece was killed in Thousand Oaks shooting

Former Disney channel star Tamera Mowry-Housley has confirmed that her niece Alaina Housley was one of at least 12 people killed in the November 7 shooting at a California bar.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Tamera and her husband Adam Housley made desperate attempts to locate their niece via social media and by visiting a local hospital.

At around 3.30am on the night of the shooting, Adam told the Los Angeles Times his 18-year-old niece's iPhone location showed that she was on the dance floor at Borderline Bar and Grill.

"My gut is saying she's inside the bar, dead," he said.

"I'm hoping I'm wrong."

Tamera's twin sister, Tia Mowry, who starred alongside her in the Disney Channel movie Twitches, also pleaded for help from her Instagram followers.

"Alaina Housley we are praying. We love u!" she wrote.

"If you know anything or any information please let us know."

Tamera and Adam later confirmed in a statement to US Weekly that Alaina was in fact one of the victims that was gunned down when a gunman opened fire at 11:20pm on Wednesday night.

"Our hearts are broken," the statement said.

"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."

A friend of Alaina confirmed on Twitter that she was the only member of their group that didn't escape the bar.

Newshub.