Seven people were left dead after a series of drive-by shootings that occurred on Friday night near the Isla Vista area near UC Santa Barbara, according to the LA Times.

The shootings began at 9:27pm. Deputies were helping the injured victims in the first round of shooting when reports of gunfire in other areas near UC Santa Barbara were reported.

Approximately six minutes after the first 911 call came in, the unidentified shooter began firing at deputies, who shot back.

The man, whose name hasn't been released pending positive identification, fled and drove off down Del Playa Drive and crashed into a parked vehicle, the sheriff's office stated.

When deputies got to the vehicle, the man was already dead with a gunshot wound. A semi-automatic handgun was found in the car with him.

It's unknown if the gunshot was self-inflicted or if the suspect was shot by authorities.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown called the suspect "severely mentally disturbed" and stated, "This was a premeditated mass murder."

A YouTube video titled "Retribution" posted by a young man who identified himself as Elliot Rodger has been circulating, according to KeyT.

The nearly seven minute long video shows the man blasting women who've ignored and rejected him over the past eight years as he warns that he will "punish you all for it."

Sheriff Brown stated that investigators were familiar with the YouTube video and are looking into whether the man in the video was connected with the shootings near UC Santa Barbara.

Michael Vitak, a student from Czech Republic, told NewsChannel 3 reporter Victoria Sanchez, what he witnessed the night of the shootings.

"Guys in a BMW. Maybe they were trying to prove they're tough," stated Vitak. He stated that he saw them shooting at two girls, leaving one dead and the other critically hurt.

"I heard shots, screams, pain. All emotions. I hope she is going to be fine," stated the student.