Elliot Rodger

Elliot Rodger
Undated driver's license photo of Rodger
Born	Elliot Oliver Robertson Rodger (1991-07-24)July 24, 1991 London, England
Died	May 23, 2014(2014-05-23) (aged 22) Isla Vista, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Suicide by gunshot
Resting place	Cremated, location of ashes undisclosed
Nationality	United States United Kingdom
Occupation	Former student at Santa Barbara City College
Known for	Perpetrator of the 2014 Isla Vista killings
Relatives	Peter Rodger (father) Soumaya Akaaboune (stepmother) George Rodger (grandfather)
Motive	Misogynist terrorism, perceived revenge for sexual and social rejection, incel ideology
Details
Date	May 23, 2014 ≈ 9:27 – 9:35 pm
Targets	Students of Santa Barbara City College and the University of California, Santa Barbara, roommates
Killed	6 (3 by stabbing, 3 by gunfire)
Injured	14 (7 by gunfire, 7 struck by motor vehicle)
Weapons	Two knives Glock 34 Long Slide handgun (unused) Two SIG Sauer P226 handguns (only one used) 2008 BMW 328i Coupé

Elliot Oliver Robertson Rodger (July 24, 1991 – May 23, 2014) was a British-born American mass murderer who is known for killing six people and injuring fourteen others during the 2014 Isla Vista killings. The murders he committed, his suicide and his manifesto have been cited as an early influence on the incel and manosphere subculture.

Born in London, England, Rodger relocated to California with his family as a child. Son of British filmmaker Peter Rodger, he grew up in a privileged household. Rodger struggled with social isolation, mental health issues, and rejection. He was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) as a teenager. He started treatment and received special education resources and therapy for most of his life. He endured bullying during his time in middle and high school. Several incidents of Rodger's strange behavior during his time in Isla Vista, along with videos and other writings that mentioned violent intentions, worried his family and acquaintances. Before starting his planned shooting rampage, Rodger uploaded to YouTube a video announcing his intention to "punish" women—as well as the men to whom they were attracted—for their lack of interest in him. He also e-mailed a 137-page manifesto—in which he described his major life events, personal struggles, and frustrations at having remained a lifelong virgin—to several of his family members, acquaintances, and therapists.

On May 23, 2014, Rodger killed six people and injured fourteen others using knives, semi-automatic pistols, and his car in Isla Vista, near the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Rodger first killed his two roommates and their friend in the apartment they shared, ambushing and stabbing them one at a time as they arrived. Hours later, he drove to the Alpha Phi sorority house, where he intended to murder its occupants but was unable to enter the premises. Rodger instead shot at three women from the Delta Delta Delta sorority who were walking outside the Alpha Phi sorority house, killing two of them while critically injuring the third. He later drove by a nearby delicatessen, shooting and killing a man inside. Afterward, Rodger drove around Isla Vista, indiscriminately shooting and ramming into pedestrians with his vehicle. He exchanged gunfire with sheriff's deputies twice, getting shot in his hip. Shortly after, he crashed his vehicle into a parked car. As police examined the vehicle, they found Rodger dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

In the years following his death, Rodger's attacks became a topic in conversations about mental health, online radicalization, and misogyny. He is cited as an early figure of the incel and manosphere subculture, getting referred to as a "hero" and "saint" in internet forums. Rodger's attacks have often been praised by incels around the world. He has both influenced and been referenced by perpetrators of other mass killings, with some referring to their actions as "going E.R.", including those who perpetrated the 2015 Umpqua Community College shooting and the 2018 Toronto van attack. Rodger's killings have sparked social media campaigns like #NotAllMen and #YesAllWomen and have contributed to ongoing debates about toxic masculinity, gender-based violence, and the influence of internet forums in radicalizing young men who intend to commit copy-cat crimes.