Santa Barbara spree killer Elliot Rodger was being treated by “multiple therapists” and was a student at Santa Barbara City College. That’s according to his father’s attorney Alan Schifman, via abcnews.go.com. Schifman said Rodger’s family was “devastated . . . They want to send the deepest condolences to all the victims’ families involved at this time.” What’s more, Schifman indicated that the family notified the police of Eliott’s mental “issues” . . .
Schifman said in recent weeks that Rodger’s parents were concerned for their son’s well being and reported his disturbing YouTube videos to police, which lead to an investigation. According to Schifman, police interviewed Rodger and found him to be “polite and kind.” He did not specify which law enforcement division conducted the interview.
A social worker also contacted police about Rodger last week, said Schifman.
Brown said a YouTube video titled “Elliot Rodger’s Retribution” appeared to be linked to the crime. In the video, a man who identifies himself as Elliot Rodger sits in the driver’s seat of a car as he promises “retribution” and discusses his “loneliness, rejection and unfulfilled desires.”
“Girls gave their affection and sex and love to other men but never to me,” he said in the video. He added that it would be his last video.
Schifman said Rodger was diagnosed as being a high-functioning patient with Asperger syndrome and had trouble making friends.
“There was an incident probably a year and a half ago where he was…he fell from a balcony at a party or was thrown off of it. I think he was probably a victim from my understanding of bullying throughout his life… I’m sure that had played a role in the terrible consequences from last night,” the lawyer said.
Regardless, once again a dangerous individual slipped through the social service and law enforcement net. Here’s hoping journalists throw more light on the backstory to this killing; there are lessons to be learned. Again. Still.