Just hours after his son was killed by Elliott Rodger near the University of California, Santa Barbara campus, Richard Martinez spoke to reporters. According to the Associated Press, Martinez’s son, Christopher, died in the shooting. Martinez said his family is ‘lost and broken’ and he blames the proliferation of guns for his son’s death.
“Our son Christopher and six others are dead,” Martinez said to reporters who had gathered outside of a sheriff’s station. “You don’t think it’ll happen to your child until it does.”
Christopher was the final person killed in the rampage before Rodger reportedly killed himself.
“The talk about gun rights. What about Chris’ right to live?” Martinez said. “When will enough people say: ‘Stop this madness! We don’t have to live like this! Too many people have died! We should say to ourselves: ‘Not! One! More!'”
Martinez fell to his knees as he walked away from the podium and broke down into tears.
Christopher died in the IV Deli Mart where he was getting dinner. He had spoken to his father just 45 minutes prior to his death. Christopher was studying at the school as an English major. He wanted to travel to London next year and then attend law school after graduation.
Christopher was the last one killed during the rampage, which began with the stabbing deaths of Rodger’s roommates and the shooting deaths of two girls outside of a sorority.
“Chris was a really great kid,” Martinez said. “Ask anyone who knew him. His death has left our family lost and broken.”
