The Friday night shootings in Isla Vista that left seven people dead are drawing reaction from a family involved in a similar incident more than a decade ago. On Feb. 23, 2001 University of California, Santa Barbara student David Attias, 20, drove his car into a crowd of students in Isla Vista and killed four people, including Christopher Davis, Ruth Levy and Nicholas Bourdakis, all 20, and Elie Israel, 27.
"It's sad, it's heartbreaking. There is nothing more horrible than having a policeman tell you that your son is dead," said Tricia Bourdakis, mother of Nicholas.
"The sad part is that this incident is not a reminder, because we are reminded every day of our loss. But it is a reminder that life is precious," said Bourdakis.
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Attias is the son of TV director Daniel Attias, whose credits include "Homeland," "True Blood" and "The Killing." He was a freshman when he drove his Saab down Sabado Tarde Road in Isla Vista. He was charged with four counts of second-degree murder.
During his trial, more than 100 witnesses testified about his long history of mental health issues, including a statement he made the to bystanders immediately after the crash: "I am the angel of death."
A jury convicted Attias, and he was later ruled insane. He spent 10 years at a California psychiatric hospital.
Bourdakis says the mental health system in California has not improved since Attias killed her son.
"The Isla Vista shooting is an example of what's happening all over the place," Bourdakis said. "The problem is not Isla Vista. This can happen anywhere. People need to look at our mental health system and parents need to take more responsibility."
Attias is currently in an outpatient treatment program.
