ASSOCIATED PRESS
Reactions to a shooting rampage near the University of California, Santa Barbara that left seven people dead, including the suspected gunman, and seven injured:
“I am the true victim in all of this. I am the good guy. Humanity struck at me first by condemning me to experience so much suffering. I didn’t ask for this.” — From Elliot Rodger’s written manifesto.
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“We are experiencing the most inconceivable pain, and our hearts go out to everybody involved.” — Statement from the family of Hollywood director Peter Rodger, who say they believe his son, Elliot Roger, is the gunman.
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“When will this insanity stop? … Too many have died. We should say to ourselves ‘not one more.’ ” — Richard Martinez, who says his 20-year-old son Christopher Michael-Martinez is among the victims killed in the shooting.
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“It’s obviously the work of a madman.” — Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown, about a YouTube video posted that shows a young man describing plans to shoot women that appears to be connected to the attack.
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“This is almost the kind of event that’s impossible to prevent and almost impossible to predict.” — University of California system President Janet Napolitano.
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“Gabby and I are praying for the victims of last night’s horrific tragedy in Isla Vista. Every time we learn of another senseless shooting like this one, our hearts break and we know that no words will bring peace to the families who lost loved ones.” — Ex-astronaut Mark Kelly, husband of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was severely wounded in a 2011 Arizona shooting rampage that killed six people.
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“We heard so many gunshots. It was unbelievable. I thought they were firecrackers. There had to have been at least like two guns. There were a lot of shots.” — Alexander Mattera, 23, who was sitting at a bonfire with friends and ran for cover when gunfire broke out.
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“Our campus community is shocked and saddened by the events that occurred last night in the nearby community of Isla Vista.” — Statement from UC Santa Barbara.
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