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Drive-by shooting near UC Santa Barbara leaves seven dead Drive-by shooting near UC Santa Barbara leaves seven dead
(35 minutes later)
At least seven people have been killed in a drive-by shooting near a college campus in California, in what authorities described as “premeditated mass murder”. Seven people have been killed in a drive-by shooting near a college campus in California, in what authorities described as “premeditated mass murder”. Seven more people were injured, one with injuries that were reported as life-threatening.
The gunman attacked on Friday night, driving a black BMW near the University of California in Santa Barbara. The gunman attacked on Friday night, driving a black BMW near the University of California campus in Santa Barbara.
Bill Brown, Santa Barbara county sheriff, confirmed the deaths on Saturday morning, which included the gunman, CNN reported. He said a further seven victims suffered injuries, including one which is life-threatening. On Saturday morning Bill Brown, Santa Barbara county sheriff, confirmed the deaths, which included the gunman, whose name he said investigators knew but would not release, pending notification of relatives.
“This was a premeditated mass murder,” Brown said, describing the suspect as “severely mentally disturbed”.“This was a premeditated mass murder,” Brown said, describing the suspect as “severely mentally disturbed”.
Witnesses reported seeing the car speeding through the streets, and firing bullets at people. Reports say that the gunman exchanged fire with the sheriff’s deputies before crashing into a parked car. The victims' identities were not immediately released.
The suspect was found dead of a gunshot wound in the car, where authorities recovered a handgun. The sheriff said he did not know if he had been shot by deputies, or if he had killed himself. Witnesses reported seeing the car speeding through the streets, as the gunman fired from it. Brown confirmed that the gunman exchanged fire with sheriff’s deputies before crashing into a parked car.
The suspect was found dead of a gunshot wound in the car, where authorities recovered a semiautomatic handgun. Brown said he did not know if the gunman had been shot by deputies, or if he had killed himself.
Authorities were investigating a video posted online, which reports said included a tirade by the gunman about women who supposedly rebuffed him.Authorities were investigating a video posted online, which reports said included a tirade by the gunman about women who supposedly rebuffed him.
The county sheriff’s office said: “The Sheriff’s Office has obtained and is currently analysing written and video evidence that suggests this was a premeditated mass murder. The county sheriff’s office said: “The sheriff’s office has obtained and is currently analysing written and video evidence that suggests this was a premeditated mass murder.
“This is a very active and complex investigation involving approximately nine different crime scenes. We are in the process of interviewing a large number of witnesses and ask for the public’s assistance in locating others.”“This is a very active and complex investigation involving approximately nine different crime scenes. We are in the process of interviewing a large number of witnesses and ask for the public’s assistance in locating others.”
A statement said: “The shootings began at approximately 9:27 p.m. on May 23 when reports of shots fired in the Isla Vista area were called in to the Santa Barbara County Emergency Communications Center. Sheriff’s deputies responded and found several victims suffering from gunshot wounds. A student told a local television station, KEYT-TV, that he saw shots fired from the car, fatally striking one woman and critically injuring another.
“At approximately 9:33 p.m., six minutes after the initial call was received, the suspect engaged a group of responding deputies with gunfire. The deputies returned fire and the suspect fled in his vehicle. Seconds later the suspect was again spotted by another deputy and another exchange of gunfire occurred. The suspect fled down Del Playa Drive and eventually crashed into a parked vehicle.” "I heard shots, scream, pain," Michael Vitak said. "All emotions. I hope she is going to be fine."
Another, visibly shaken student told the station she was approached by the driver of a black BMW who flashed a handgun and asked "Hey, what's up?"
The student, who did not provide her full name, said thought he was carrying an airsoft gun and kept walking. She said seconds later, she felt something buzz by her head and quickly realised they were bullets.
A county sheriff's statement said: “The shootings began at approximately 9.27pm on 23 May when reports of shots fired in the Isla Vista area were called in to the Santa Barbara County Emergency Communications Center. Sheriff’s deputies responded and found several victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
“At approximately 9.33pm, six minutes after the initial call was received, the suspect engaged a group of responding deputies with gunfire. The deputies returned fire and the suspect fled in his vehicle.
“Seconds later the suspect was again spotted by another deputy and another exchange of gunfire occurred. The suspect fled down Del Playa Drive and eventually crashed into a parked vehicle.”