Seven people are dead and even more are injured after a gunman went on a rampage through Isla Vista, a community near the University of California Santa Barbara, Friday night.
Authorities, referring to this as “the work of a madman,” report that the suspect, 22-year-old UCSB student Elliot Rodgers, died of a gunshot wound to the head, although it is unclear if it was self-inflicted or the result of an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement. “We have obtained and are currently analyzing both written and videotaped evidence that suggests this atrocity was a premeditated mass murder,” said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown in a press conference Saturday morning.
Officers responded to calls reporting gunfire around 9:30 p.m. The shooter, both walking and driving, left behind nine crime scenes in the busy area. The suspect was found dead after about ten minutes and a shootout with authorities.
The suspect’s family and authorities have identified Rodgers, a student who has posted several videos and tweets promising “retribution” to “every spoilt, stuck-up, blonde slut” that he blames for not being sexually attracted to him. In a chilling video, he claims he will “punish” the women that chose men he saw as “obnoxious brutes” instead of him, proving himself the “alpha male.” He also left behind a 141-page manifesto outlining his rage and ultimately, his plan for “retribution.”
Veronika Weiss, 19, Katie Cooper, 22, and Christopher Michael-Martinez, 20 have been identified as three of the victims of the shooting rampage. “You don’t think it’ll happen to your child, but it does,” Michael-Martinez’ father told KTLA Saturday. Rodgers also fatally stabbed his 3 male roommates.
There are said to be 13 injured — either by gunshots or by his car.
Counselors are available for UCSB students at (805) 893-4411, according to a UCSB statement.