SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 27 (UPI) -- The parents of the Isla Vista shooter, Elliot Rodger, who killed six people Friday night before killing himself, learned of their son's plans just before the rampage, but were too late to stop their son.
Simon Astaire, a family friend of the Rodgers, told the Los Angeles Times, how Rodger's parents frantically searched for their son Friday night in an attempt to prevent his shooting spree. Astaire said the shooter's mother, Chin Rodger, received a call from her son's therapist at 9:17 p.m., only 13 minutes before the attack.
"Have you gotten Elliot's email?" said the therapist."I think you should see it."
The email contained the "manifesto" Elliot wrote blaming women and humanity for his misfortunes in life. The manifesto prompted Chin to go to his YouTube channel where she found his video titled Elliot Rodger's Retribution.
"On the day of retribution I am going to enter the hottest sorority house of UCSB and I will slaughter every single spoiled, stuck-up blond slut I see inside there," said Rodger in the video.
Chin called her ex-husband Peter Rodger, and then called 911 warning of her son's plans. They were on the freeway when they heard the radio report of the shooting. Despite the therapist's reassurances that Rodger would carry out his plans the following day, the parents were able to confirm that it was their son upon arrival at the police station.
This is not the first time Elliott's parents were alarmed by his behavior. Chin called his therapist in April, expressing concern over her son's "bizarre" YouTube videos. The therapist contacted the police with her concerns, who then visited Elliot at his home. In his manifesto, he recounts the day and said he hid his weapons to prevent the police from ruining his plans.
"I tactfully told them that it was all a misunderstanding, and they finally left. If they had demanded to search my room...that would have ended everything. For a few horrible seconds I thought it was all over. When they left, the biggest wave of relief swept over me."
The guns Rodger used were legally registered in his name.
Police said that though they were called to the house, they had no warrant to enter his apartment and did not feel that he was an immediate threat to himself or his roommates.
Rodger had a "a very convincing story," said Sheriff Bill Brown.
