Gunman Elliot Rodger’s parents heard the news of his bloody rampage on the radio as they were racing to Santa Barbara, California, after his mother saw his online threats, it has emerged.

Gunman Elliot Rodger stabbed three people to death at his apartment before going on to shoot three more, it has emerged.

The family of a man they believe went on a shooting rampage near a university in Santa Barbara, California, called police several weeks ago after being alarmed by YouTube videos “regarding suicide and the killing of people”, a lawyer said today.