US authorities say 22-year-old college student Elliot Roger was responsible for a deadly drive-by shooting near a California university campus.
A gunman in a black BMW opened fire in a bustling beachside college community in southern California, killing seven, including himself, and injuring seven. Police said the incident was "premeditated mass murder".
Earlier, Hollywood filmmaker Peter Roger, speaking through his lawyer, said his client he believed his son, Elliot Roger, had carried out drive-by shootings.
The family's lawyer said Elliot Roger's parents had alerted police weeks ago after his son posted disturbing videos on YouTube about murder and suicide.
"This child was being treated by multiple professionals. The child was diagnosed at an earlier age of being a highly functional Asperger's syndrome child," the lawyer said.
Sheriff Bill Brown said authorities believed Elliot Roger was acting alone.
He said police were closely examining a threatening video posted on YouTube by Elliot Rodger.
In the video, the 22-year-old said he was a virgin who had suffered from loneliness and rejection by women. He also threatened to commit acts of violence.
"You're all animals and I will slaughter you like animals," he said in the video.
The chilling video vowing retribution (Warning: contains distressing language)
"Girls are not sexually attracted to me. There's a major problem with that.
"That's a problem that I intend to rectify. I, in all my magnificence and power, I will not let this fly. It's an injustice that needs to be dealt with."
Crime scene investigators scour scene of shooting
Authorities said Elliot Roger sprayed bullets on pedestrians at multiple locations in Isla Vista, near the campus of the University of California Santa Barbara, as students and others were out partying on a Friday night.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told reporters 10 separate crime scenes had been established.
Sheriff Brown said Elliot Rodger stabbed three men to death at his apartment prior to the drive-by shooting.
He said police have recovered three semi-automatic handguns after Friday's shooting. All of the weapons were legally purchased from federally licensed firearms dealers and were registered to Rodger, 22.
Police previously had "three contacts" with Elliot Rodger, including one in which he accused a roommate of stealing candles.
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