July 16, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Isla Vista, Site of UCSB Murders, Has a Violent History

UCSB
Isla Vista, where 7 were killed and another 7 injured in a UCSB shooting, has a violent past. (Courtesy image)

Isla Vista, the neighborhood just west of UC Santa Barbara (UCSB), is a sun-drenched cluster of ocean side apartments, fraternity houses and low-cost student housing, but has been the scene of violence witnessed by Southern Californians.

Crime scene tape still hangs on streets Saturday afternoon at and near “The Loop,” the center of the community where residents usually are concerned with studying, surfing and social life. Six people were killed there May 23, seven were wounded, and suspected gunman Elliot Rodger, 22, died of at least one gunshot.

In 1970, Isla Vista burst onto the national scene when a Bank of America branch was burned down following a political rally.

Residents were upset as they witnessed Sheriff’s deputies brutally beat a student who had been suspected of carrying a Molotov cocktail. It was a bottle of wine.

Anger spread, and the Bank of America branch was burned.

After Bank of America opened a temporary branch in a trailer, more protests and aggressive police behavior broke out. At one, a student was shot and killed, and police blamed a sniper.

An autopsy revealed he had been shot a policeman, and the killing was ruled an accident.

Then-Gov. Ronald Reagan decried the anti-war protests and blamed the violence on the anti-war movement, and declared a State of Emergency as dozens of students were arrested.

The bank eventually moved out, and the exact the site is now a UCSB office building, across the street from where people were shot and killed Friday night.

Just a block away, in 2001, another troubled man drove his BMW at high speed down Sabado Tarde Road and mowed down a crowd. That street also today is a crime scene from Friday’s murders.

David Attias, then 21 and also of Los Angeles, emerged from the BMW and proclaimed “I am the angel of death” as four people laid dead or dying.

Attias was convicted of four counts of second-degree murder and other crimes in 2002, but the same jury later found him to be insane.

A judge sent Attias to a state hospital for 60 years. A Santa Barbara judge later ruled him no longer to be a threat to society, and ruled him eligible for freedom in 2012. His recent history is not apparent.

Related Posts

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Miami Developer Seeks to Convert Century City Apartment Tower into Condos: REPORT

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

If approved, the property at 10000 Santa Monica Blvd., known as Ten Thousand and built in 2017, would mark the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Elvis’ TV Legacy in Beverly Hills to be Explored in Upcoming Event

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

The session will feature rare clips from the Paley Archive, including Presley’s debut TV appearance, his 1968 Comeback Special, performances...

Holmby Hills Parcel Once Owned by Pioneering Film Director Lists for $25.5M

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

The lot is situated across from the Playboy Mansion and just moments from The Spelling Manor A 1.66-acre parcel of...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...