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California gunman 'was filmmaker Peter Rodger's son' California gunman 'was filmmaker Peter Rodger's son'
(35 minutes later)
A gunman who killed six people in drive-by shootings in California is believed to be the son of a Hollywood filmmaker, the family lawyer says. A Hollywood filmmaker believes his son carried out drive-by shootings that killed six people in California late on Friday, a family lawyer says.
Peter Rodger, assistant director on The Hunger Games, believes his son Elliot was the attacker, his lawyer said. Peter Rodger, who was assistant director on The Hunger Games, thinks the attacker was his 22-year-old son Elliot, the statement said.
Elliot Rodger's mother contacted police after a YouTube video was posted a few weeks ago, the lawyer added. The gunman died of bullet wounds after going on a rampage near Santa Barbara.
Police are investigating a video in which a man complains of rejection by women, threatening revenge.Police are investigating a video in which a man complains of rejection by women, threatening revenge.
The shootings took place on Friday near the Californian city of Santa Barbara. Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the gunman, or that of the young man seen in the YouTube video.
The suspected gunman was found dead in his car with a bullet wound to the head, although police say it is not yet clear whether the wound was self-inflicted. But Peter Rodger's lawyer, Alan Shifman, said the "family believes the child was the perpetrator".
He said the son had Asperger's syndrome, had trouble making friends and had been receiving professional help.
Mr Shifman added that the family had contacted police about "recent posts on YouTube" by Elliot "regarding suicide and the killing of people".
The family is "devastated" and co-operating with police, he said.
Bullet wounds
Witnesses described seeing a black BMW speeding through the streets, with shots being fired at people.
Police say they were alerted around 21:30 on Friday (04:30 GMT on Saturday). Six minutes later, the suspect and responding officers exchanged gunfire.
The suspect fled. But after a second exchange of fire with police, he eventually crashed into a parked vehicle.
He was found dead in his car with a bullet wound to the head. although police say it is not yet clear whether the wound was self-inflicted.
A semi-automatic handgun was recovered from the vehicle.
Seven other people are in hospital, and being treated for bullet wounds.Seven other people are in hospital, and being treated for bullet wounds.
Authorities have not confirmed the identity of the gunman.