Isla Vista attacks

Historical eventMay 232014

Isla Vista attacks

Seven people, including the perpetrator, are killed and another 14 injured in a killing spree near the campus of University of California, Santa Barbara.

Everything on May 23Original source

In context

When
Friday, May 23 201412 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
21st century · 2010s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: 2014-05-23 – 2014-05-23.

Place: Isla Vista, United States.

Type: spree killing, stabbing attack, drive-by shooting, and vehicle-ramming attack.

Deaths reported: 7. Casualties: 14.

What came before

Background Main article: Elliot Rodger Elliot Oliver Robertson Rodger was born on July 24, 1991, in London, England. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Rodger faced mental health problems as a child; he struggled in social situations, often cried in crowds, and displayed repetitive behaviors. He repeatedly talked about killing himself but had no history of violence. In 2007, he was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified . As an adult,

Catalyst / how it started

Linked causes: incel.

What happened

Attacks A map showing the order and locations of Rodger's attacks Stabbings Despite initially selecting May 24 as the date for his attacks, Rodger unexpectedly initiated his attacks a day earlier. [ 1 ] Rodger, carrying a six-inch (150 mm) "SRK" knife and an eight-inch (200 mm) hunting knife , ambushed his 20-year-old roommate Weihan "David" Wang upon his return to their residence at Capri Apartments. Wang tried to defend himself but was stabbed 15 times, suffering 23 slashes. [ 2 ] [

Aftermath Actions by Rodger's parents At around 10 p.m., Rodger's mother, Ong Li Chin Tye, received a text message from Rodger's life coach Gavin Linderman that she initially ignored. Linderman then called her, telling her Rodger had sent an email and said he also discovered her son's "Retribution" video online, advising her to check them. Li Chin accessed the email, which contained his manifesto, and his video. [ a ] She immediately called Rodger's cellphone, which went to voicemail.

Reactions On social media Following the killings carried out by Elliot Rodger, some individuals on social media and in the comments on his YouTube videos expressed sympathy for his stated grievances, with a small minority suggesting that his perceived rejection by women justified violence. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Others commented on his appearance and speculated about his difficulty forming relationships,

On the evening of May 23, 2014, multiple misogynistic terrorist attacks occurred in Isla Vista, California, United States. 22-year-old Elliot Rodger murdered six people and injured 14 others by gunshot, stabbing, and vehicle ramming near the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), before fatally shooting himself.

May 23 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 2002Kyoto Protocol
  2. 2006Stratovolcano
  3. 2008International Court of Justice
  4. 2013Interstate 5 in Washington
  5. 2014Isla Vista attacks
  6. 2015Tornado outbreak and floods of May 23–26, 2015
  7. 2016Islamic State
  8. 2017Rodrigo Duterte
  9. 2021Ryanair Flight 4978
  10. 2021Stresa–Mottarone cable car crash
  11. 2022Anthony Albanese

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Everything we record for 2014 →

Sources

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“Isla Vista attacks”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/isla-vista-attacks-2014-may-23, accessed October 28, 2026.

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Questions about this entry

When did Isla Vista attacks happen?

May 23 2014 — 12 years ago, on a Friday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

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