The Los Angeles Times’ coverage of the mass slaying in Southern California includes an extract of a manifesto left behind  y suspected killer Elliott Rodger. It’s the work of a disturbed young man, though rational enough to plot in detail, forecast his actions in YouTube videos and cause no alarm when law officers checked on him once.

The writing is disturbing, too. For example, a passage on the purchase of the first of three semi-automatic weapons he’d obtained to carry out his plan targeting women who he believed spurned him:

Advertisement

My first act of preparation was the purchase my first handgun. I did this quickly and hastily, at a local gun shop called Goleta Gun and Supply. I had already done some research on handguns, and I decided to purchase the Glock 34 semiautomatic pistol, an efficient and highly accurate weapon. I signed all of the papers and was told that my pickup day was in mid-December.

After I picked up the handgun, I brought it back to my room and felt a new sense of power. I was now armed. Who’s the alpha male now, bitches

Arkansas Times: Your voice in the fight

Are you tired of watered-down news and biased reporting? The Arkansas Times has been fighting for truth and justice for 50 years. As an alternative newspaper in Little Rock, we are tough, determined, and unafraid to take on powerful forces. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, we are making a difference. But we can't do it without you. Join the 3,400 paid subscribers who support our great journalism and help us hire more writers. Sign up for a subscription today or make a donation of as little as $1 and help keep the Arkansas Times feisty for years to come.

Previous article Marriage equality includes, yes, the right to divorce Next article Riverfest lights up the night