Breaking World News – The gunman who killed six people in a furious shooting rampage near the University of California, Santa Barbara began the spree by stabbing to death three people in his home – bringing the death toll to nine in the Friday night carnage, police said tonight.
The shooter was identified as Elliot Rodger, 22, a man who videotaped his rage over his rejection by women and vowed “retribution” just hours before the killing began. (Video Below has been deemed as inappropriate for people under 18 – by clicking video you are saying you are over 18)
The murderous spree ended when Elliot Rodger crashed his car with a bicyclist he had struck on his car windshield. He was found with a gunshot to his head. Sheriff Bill Brown said, “It would appear he took his own life.”
Rodger, 22, was being treated by multiple therapists and was a student at Santa Barbara City College, said family lawyer Alan Schifman.
The lawyer said that Rodger’s family was “devastated.”
“They want to send the deepest condolences to all the victims’ families involved at this time,” he said.
Seven people – including Elliot Rodger – were killed and another seven people were injured in the shooting in the Isla Vista neighborhood Friday, said Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, who repeatedly referred to the shooting as a planned mass murder.
“It’s just unfortunate that these kinds of circumstances occur,” said Brown.
The gunman crashed his car after exchanging gunfire with deputies, said Brown, and was found dead with an apparent gunshot wound to the head.
It’s unclear if police shot him or if the wound was self-inflicted. Police also recovered a semiautomatic handgun from the gunman’s car, said Brown.
The University of California, Santa Barbra, released a statement Saturday morning addressing the shooting.
“Our campus community is shocked and saddened by the events that occurred last night in the nearby community of Isla Vista,” read the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families who are grieving and mourning as a result of this tragedy.”
The university did not say if any of the victims were involved with the school in any capacity.
The victims’ identities were not immediately released. Brown said the injured were being treated for gunshot wounds and traumatic injuries, including at least one person who underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries.
By BEN CANDEA and GILLIAN MOHNEY via GOOD MORNING AMERICA
