Tragic Murders of the Innocents in Santa Barbara, California

Elliot Rodger, age 22, went on a murderous rampage on May 23, 2014, in Isla Vista, a neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California.

He killed himself but not before murdering six innocents who were all students at the University of California at Santa Barbara. 

(Top Row) Chris Martinez; Veronika Weiss; Katherine Cooper
(Bottom Row)  Cheng Yuan Hong; George Chen; Weihan Wang

Tragically deceased are:

George Chen, age 19, a roommate of Elliot Rodger, stabbed to death in their shared apartment.  He was from Ottawa and had attended Leland High School in San Jose. He was a computer science student.  

Elliot Rodger

"James" Cheng Yuan Hong, age 20, a roommate of Elliot Rodger, stabbed to death in their shared apartment.  He was originally from Taipei, Taiwan. He attended Lynbrook High School in San Jose and volunteered at Rainbow Chinese School in Cupertino.   He was a computer engineering student at the University.

Weihan Wang, age 20, stabbed to death along with George Chen and Cheng Yuan Hong.  He was an engineering student. It is unknown at this time if he was living in the apartment or just visiting when the killings occurred. 

All three of these foreign students are described as good kids, who studied hard, kept to themselves and entertained themselves by playing video games. 

Katherine Cooper, age 22, of Chino Hills, shot to death on the lawn of the Alpha Phi sorority house. Katie will be remembered for her generous spirit and warm heart. She had a bright and lively personality and always included others in her activities.  She didn't want anyone to be left out. She helped to teach ballroom dancing classes. She was an art history major.

Veronika Weiss, age 19, of Westlake Village, shot to death on the lawn of the Alpha Phi sorority house. Veronika will be remembered for her vibrant personality and for her enthusiasm for life. She was a dedicated student with a kind nature.  Friends describe her as a pleasant girl and a team player.  She had been a member of the Westlake High School girls’ water polo team for four years and had served as a team captain. 

Christopher Martinez, age 20, of Los Osos, a customer at a convenience store who was simply entering the store with a group of friends when Elliot Rodger opened fire and killed him.  Chris had graduated from San Luis Obispo High School in 2012. He was a good student who worked on the school newspaper and played on the junior varsity basketball team.  He planned on studying abroad next year and wanted to attend Law School.  He was bright and well liked. Chris was known for his kind heart and helpful nature. 

Elliot Rodger wounded at least 13 others. 

Elliot Rodger had been under psychiatric care since he was 8 years old.  He was 

Angels of God, pray for these kids who were violently taken
from us. 

seeing at least two therapists at the time of his rampage. He posted videos on You Tube stating that he intended to kill himself and others. He felt slighted by women. He reportedly was a virgin and had never even kissed a girl. He was morbidly unhappy about the state of his personal life.  He felt deprived of sex and affection and wanted to exact punishment for his unhappiness upon the world. 

He had 3 handguns in his possession.  He also used a knife in his murders and tried to kill bystanders by running them down with his car.  Machetes and hammers were found in his room at the apartment. 

Strict gun control laws have to be enacted across the United States.  Rigorous background checks have to be required before one can purchase a weapon. 

In this case, Elliot Rodger was so determined to enact death and destruction that anything in his hands would have been used as a weapon - guns, knives, machetes, swords, hammers, his car.

It seems very strange that Elliot Rodger was seeing two therapists and had been under the care of psychiatrists and psychologists for 14 years and yet no one was able to determine in these numerous and almost daily "talk sessions" that this young man was not only suicidal but murderous.  Elliot was fantasizing about slitting people's throats and these trained professionals had absolutely no clue? Not even a hint? 

Oceans of tears will be shed for George Chen, Cheng Yuan Hong, Weihan Wang, Katherine Cooper, Veronika Weiss and Christopher Martinez. They will be forever mourned. Their loved ones have suffered an unspeakable loss.  

Pray for all who die young.  They barely had a chance to live. 

Pray for all who die suddenly and tragically.  They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye. 

Pray that these kids are in Heaven.  Pray that they are at peace and are with God. Amen. 

God save us from the psychopaths.  They are killing us, Father.