As the Isla Vista community commemorated the six UCSB students who were killed by Elliot Rodger one year ago, a civil rights lawsuit filed against the Sheriff’s department, Capri Apartments, and the property management company continues to wind its way through federal court. Filed on behalf of the families of the three victims who were stabbed to death — his roommates David Wang and James Hong and their friend George Chen — the wrongful death lawsuit contends the defendants ignored signs that Rodger was dangerous. Last month, the defendants denied those allegations.
The lawsuit alleges Rodger’s troubles at Capri Apartment stem back to a short time after he moved to Isla Vista and enrolled in classes at Santa Barbara City College during the summer of 2011. That fall, the lawsuit alleges, Rodger was assigned two new Hispanic roommates who were the subjects of racial slurs he made in his manifesto that was widely distributed online.
After the two roommates moved out, Rodger was soon paired with a new roommate with whom he lived for several months, according to the lawsuit. During that time, hostility grew considerably between the two college students, said plaintiffs attorney Patrick McNicholas, who is based in Los Angeles. That roommate sent a letter to the Capri's management, asking to be separated from Rodger. He wrote that Rodger was rude on several occasions and had "huge psychological issues." He added that Rodger was a “ticking time bomb waiting to explode,” adding, "we are at the point where I fear for my safety."