The Isla Vista attacks, perpetrated by Elliot Rodger in Isla Vista, California, United States in 2014, was the first incel-motivated terrorist attack in history and have since inspired similar acts of violence.
In the years since, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has documented dozens of incidents involving Rodger-inspired incel and misogynist violence and plots, which have collectively resulted in more than 100 deaths and injuries worldwide. Notable attacks inspired by Rodger include the 2015 Umpqua Community College shooting, the 2018 Parkland high school shooting, 2018 Toronto van attack, and the 2023 Allen, Texas, mall shooting.
Background
Incels
Isla Vista attacks On the evening of May 23, 2014, multiple misogynistic terrorist attacks occurred in Isla Vista, California, United States. Elliot Rodger murdered six people and injured 14 others by gunshot, stabbing, and vehicle ramming near the campus of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), before fatally shooting himself after a being wounded in a shootout with the police. Sheriff Bill Brown said that Rodger's actions were due to shortcomings in the mental-health treatment system, noted a widespread shortfall in resources for community mental health care, and criticized inadequate communication from healthcare professionals regarding people who suffer from suicidal or homicidal thoughts.
Copycat crimes In the wake of the attacks, several news outlets suppressed the "Retribution" video uploaded by Rodger out of fear for triggering copycat crimes. In 2020, the BBC described Rodger as "the founding father of the incel ideology". Some members of the incel community have celebrated Rodger's attacks with tribute songs, merchandise featuring his image, and created memes depicting him in a religious manner. Some users refer to him as a "saint" and mark the anniversary of the killings as "Saint Elliot Day". Within incel forums, his name was often abbreviated as "ER" and his attacks have been cited as an inspiration by individuals involved in or suspected of other acts of mass violence, sometimes described as "going ER".
List of successful copycat crimes +NameDateDeathsInjuriesPerpetratorNotes2015 Umpqua Community College shootingOctober 1, 201510 (including the perpetrator)8Chris Harper-MercerOn October 1, 2015, 26-year-old Chris Harper-Mercer, killed nine people and injured eight others in a shooting at Umpqua Community College before killing himself. Prior to the attack, Harper-Mercer referenced Rodger alongside other mass killers in a manifesto, describing them as "people who are elite, people who stand with the gods".2017 Aztec High School shootingDecember 7, 20173 (including the perpetrator)0William AtchisonOn December 7, 2017, 21-year-old William Atchison, killed two people before killing himself in a shooting at Aztec High School, which he formerly attended, in Aztec, New Mexico. The shooting was described by some as an instance of incel violence. Atchison had used the name "Elliot Rodger" online and had praised him as the "supreme gentleman", though it was later described as "unclear" if Atchison identified as an incel.Parkland high school shootingFebruary 14, 20181717Nikolas CruzOn February 14, 2018, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, killed seventeen people and injured seventeen others, in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Cruz had previously posted online that "Elliot Rodger will not be forgotten".2018 Toronto van attackApril 23, 20181115Alek MinassianOn April 23, 2018, 25-year-old Alek Minassian, killed eleven people and injured fifteen others in a vehicle-ramming attack in North York City Centre, Toronto, Canada. Before the attack, Minassian posted a message on Facebook referencing an "Incel Rebellion" and praising Rodger.2018 Toronto shootingJuly 22, 20183 (including the perpetrator)13Faisal HussainOn July 22, 2018, 29-year-old Faisal Hussain, killed 2 and injured 13 in a shooting in Greektown, Toronto, Canada before killing himself. Hussain's actions were believed to have been inspired by Rodger. Police later discovered copies of Rodger's manifesto on several of Hussain's devices.2018 Tallahassee shootingNovember 2, 20183 (including the perpetrator)5Scott Paul BeierleOn November 2, 2018, a mass shooting occurred at Tallahassee Hot Yoga, a yoga studio located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. 40-year-old Scott Paul Beierle shot six women, two fatally, and pistol-whipped a man before killing himself. YouTube videos posted by Beierle in 2014 showed that he identified as an incel and also sympathized with the Rodger.2020 Toronto machete attackFebruary 24, 202012 (including the perpetrator)Oguzhan SertOn February 24, 2020, 17-year-old Oguzhan Sert, entered a spa with a machete and killed one woman while seriously injuring another; the incident ended when the second injured victim disarmed the perpetrator and stabbed him in the back, critically injuring him. The perpetrator named Rodger as inspiration for the stabbing.2023 Allen, Texas, mall shootingMay 6, 20239 (including the perpetrator)7Mauricio Martinez GarciaOn May 6, 2023, 33-year-old Mauricio Martinez Garcia went on a spree shooting in a mall in Allen, Texas. Garcia killed eight people and injured at least seven others before he was killed by a police officer. He praised the perpetrator the of Isla Vista attacks and identified himself as an incel.2026 San Cristóbal school shootingMarch 30, 20261815-year-old studentMarch 30, 2026, San Cristóbal, Santa Fe, Argentina, A 15-year-old student opened fire with a shotgun at his school, killing a 13-year-old student and injuring several more before a doorman of the school tackled and disarmed him, The shooting was not targeted at anyone. He was initially charged with aggravated murder involving the use of a firearm, but held not criminally responsible because of his age, he will likely be sent to a psychiatric facility. His father reportedly had substance abuse problems and his mother was on leave from work due to a psychiatric condition. He had shared videos of previous school shooters on social media, including Elliot Rodger, the perpetrator of the 2014 Isla Vista killings that killed six. He also posted a video on TikTok praising Japanese author and failed coup leader Yukio Mishima who killed himself in 1970, and set his profile picture as the The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp, a 1632 painting made by Rembrandt.2026 Fagersta school stabbingAugust 21, 202613Liam NebelOn 21 August 2026, an 18-year-old man armed with a sword attacked Brinellskolan in Fagersta, Västmanland County, Sweden. As police investigated, they found a 17-year-old girl dead and three others injured. Two hours before carrying out the attack, the suspect reposted a video about bullying on TikTok, the video showed Rodger.
List of unsuccessful copycat crimes +Date (of arrest)PerpetratorNotesMay 21, 2024Alexandre G.On May 21, 2024, French authorities arrested Alexandre G., a French national, over suspicions that he was preparing a violent attack connected to the Olympic torch relay ceremony scheduled in Bordeaux, France. Prosecutors said that he made concerning remarks about the upcoming tenth anniversary of the Isla Vista attacks of May 23, 2014. Investigators subsequently identified his connections to online incel communities. During his detention, Alexandre allegedly told investigators that he had contemplated carrying out an attack.October 22, 2023Michael Pengchung LeeOn October 22, 2023, Michael Pengchung Lee was arrested in Arizona. Lee, who described himself as a "former incel", pled guilty on April 12th, 2024, for threatening to commit a Rodger-inspired mass shooting on the University of Arizona campus.
See also Columbine High School massacre copycat crimes Christchurch mosque shootings copycat crimes
References
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