LA Times doesn't tell readers half the murders in Santa Barbara didn't involve guns, or that killer had mental problems, first stabbed 3 men to death, later drove his BMW into 2 bicyclists. LA Times selects quote blaming NRA and politicians, leaves out other key information

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5/24/14, "Isla Vista shooting victim's father: 'When will this insanity stop?'" LA Times, Amanda Covarrubias, Rong-Gong Lin II  

"The father of one of those who died in the shooting rampage in Isla Vista spoke out Saturday on the death of his son, Christopher Martinez....

At a news conference Saturday afternoon, Richard Martinez lashed out at politicians and the National Rifle Assn. for refusing to support more restrictive gun control measures....

“Why did Chris die? Chris died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA, ” Richard Martinez continued. “They talk about gun rights. What about Chris’ right to live? When will this insanity stop?

"When will enough people say, 'Stop this madness.' We do not have to live like this. Too many people have died. We should say to ourselves, 'not one more.'"...

Many said they heard gunshots and saw a skateboarder being struck by a black BMW 328i racing at speeds of 45 mph in a densely packed, student-dominated community along the coast."...

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3 of the murders were by stabbing. The man stabbed three men to death before he got into his BMW to commit additional murders either by vehicle or gun. The LA Times also fails to mention the killer had previous contacts with the police and was under the care of several therapists. At least one LA Times commenter apparently blamed Ronald Reagan:

"@pipps00000 Can't blame Reagan. Dude had the beginnings of dementia by the time he was elected the first time. By the time he was re-elected, he was no longer even in most meetings anymore. His advisors made all the calls.

• Nevadafox77
  at 10:27 PM May 24, 2014"

(This comment was on the same page as the LA Times article and was the only comment on the page at the time.)

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5/24/14, "Son of Hunger Games assistant director stabbed three roommates to death before shooting dead three random students after posting embittered murder manifesto because he was 'still a virgin'," UK Daily Mail

"Elliot Rodger, 22, stabbed to death three men inside his home in Capri apartments in Isla Vista, California  

Rodger, 22, went on a shooting rampage near a sorority, killing two female students and one male  

Gunman published 140-page manifesto outlining how he wanted to lure as many people as possible to his home for purpose of killing them  

Family attorney said Rodger had Asperger's syndrome and was in the care of several therapists

• Rodger died of self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after being hurt in shootout with deputies
• He had three legally purchased semi-automatic handguns and 400 rounds of ammunition
• He posted a video to social media Thursday in which he rants about how women have rejected his advances
• Lamenting that he was a 22-year-old virgin, Rodger promised 'retribution' and 'punishment'
• He said he planned to enter the 'hottest sorority on UCSB' and 'slaughter' the girls inside
• Officers interviewed him April 30 and said they found him to be a 'perfectly polite, kind and wonderful human'
• Altogether police had three previous dealings with the troubled young man over the past year but never arrested him
  

By Snejana Farberov and Will Payne In Isla Vista, California and Martin Dryan and Neil Blincow"...

 

"According to the sheriff's office, the agency had contacted Rodger on three separate occasions between July 2013 and April 2014. 

On July 21, 2013, deputies reached out to the college student while he was being treated in a hospital for injuries he had allegedly sustained in an assault. 

On January 15, 2014, Rodger called police accusing one of his roommates of stealing $22 worth of candles from him. 

The disturbed young man made a citizen's arrest, which resulted in his roommate being jailed and cited for petty theft. 

Then on April 30, deputies came to Rodger's apartment in response to a welfare check request made by a relative, presumed to be his mother.

Rodger downplayed his parent's concerns for his mental state, saying he was having difficulties with his social life and was planning to drop out of college. The responding deputies gave him some advice and information on where to seek help, and left. 

In his 140-page manifesto, 'My Twisted World' outlining his homicidal plans, Rodger described in detail the day police knocked his door. He published the paper hours before beginning his bloody rampage.

'I had the striking and devastating fear that someone had somehow discovered what I was planning to do, and reported me for it,' he wrote. 

The 22-year-old expressed fear that officers would search his home and find his multiple firearms and writings outlining his plans, and stop him from exacting revenge n his 'enemies' by locking him up. 

The officers, however, found the suspect ‘courteous and shy,’ and left. Santa Barbara police spokeswoman Kelly Hoover revealed Saturday night that the department's contact with Rodgers in April is now being reviewed as part of the investigation."...