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New developments have come about in the UCSB shooting spree that occurred earlier last month. Parents of Elliot Rodger's first three victims have begun speaking about the tragedy that befell their children at the hands of Rodger, who their lawyer now says used a hammer, a machete, and a knife during his massacre.

It remains unclear how Rodger overpowered all three of his roommates, but their parents don't want to think about whether Rodger drugged the three men before he killed them, focusing instead on remembering their children as they were alive.

Rodger's three roommates, George Chen, David Wang, and James Hong were close friends who one day dreamed of starting a company together. Rodger was assigned as the fourth roommate in their apartment, but the four never got along. In fact, Rodger once called the police on James Hong when the two had a minor altercation. Rodger once stole one of Hong's bowls as Hong was cooking dinner. In retaliation, Hong took several candles that belonged to Rodger hoping to make a trade. Rodger, however, called the police who handcuffed and booked him for petty theft.

According to the LA Times, this frustrated Hong but he chose not to anger his roommate further, hoping that his ordeal would be over soon. Hong and the other roommates had already signed a lease for another apartment when Rodger killed them. 

The parents of Rodger's roommates have many questions, but are unlikely to receive answers, even as more and more evidence of Rodger's disturbed mental state come to light. What they do know is that there must be a change, a way for the system to protect children like theirs from the violence that was visit upon Isla Vista in May.

Henry Hong, father of James Hong, says in The Washington Post, "It may be too late for our kids, but I don't want it to be too late for other American children ... The system is clearly broken. It should have protected our sons, who were so innocent and trusting."

RELATED: 
The Chilling Details Of the UCSB Shooter's Roommate Murders

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Photo credit: Getty