Elliot Rodger could not be stopped because 'being sad is not a crime'

In the wake of the Isla Vista shooting on Friday that left six people dead and 13 injured, the Los Angeles Times offers thoughtful analysis on why 22-year-old alleged shooter Elliot Rodger was able to avoid police intervention.

Rodger, his family says, was somewhere on the autism spectrum. And yes, he had been in therapy since he was a child. He had also become increasingly isolated after his 18th birthday, rejecting the mental health care his family provided. And yes, he was even recently questioned by police after an altercation with UC Santa Barbara students that left him with an injured ankle. But officials say there was nothing about the incident that would have prompted authorities to follow up with Rodger. And therein lies the problem.

Critics say the teenager left plenty of clues. But, despite Rodger's troubles, the lonely young man simply flew under the radar, appearing to his peers as only terribly sad. The Los Angeles Times continues:

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Simply put: There was nothing in Rodger's background to prevent him from purchasing a weapon.