Father of 'virgin killer's' only friend calls for debate on gun control after mass murderer's manifesto describes how they fell out as his hatred for women grew

  • Art Ellis says schools should do more to teach students how their behavior affects others
  • Elliot Rodger named James Ellis as his only friend in 'a lonely period'
  • The pair lost contact after James became disturbed by conversations with Rodger

By Richard Alleyne In Los Angeles

Published: 23:45 EST, 27 May 2014 | Updated: 03:36 EST, 28 May 2014

The father of Elliot Rodger's best friend has called for a national debate on gun law and bullying at schools.

James Ellis was described by Rodger as his best friend for more than 14 years while they were growing up in the affluent suburbs just north of Los Angeles.

The pair met at school and later bonded over Pokemon cards, computer games such as Halo and World of Warcraft, and skateboarding.

Lonely: Gunman Elliot Rodger described how he had only one friend, who had provided the only light in his life

Lonely: Gunman Elliot Rodger described how he had only one friend, who had provided the only light in his life

But despite both being frustrated at their lack of success with the opposite sex, they drifted apart as Rodger’s feeling towards girls became ever more hostile.

Eventually, after a couple of alarming incidents in restaurants, they completely lost touch and went to different colleges.

Yesterday Art Ellis, James’ father who is also a close friend of Rodger’s mother, said: ‘It is such a complex situation for me to make a statement.

'Should there be gun control? Yes that would help. They have warnings on Aspirin saying do not use when operating heavy machinery.

 

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'Yet people on medication get a gun in their hands.'

The graphic designer refused to talk about his son’s friendship with Rodger but said that much must change in society.

'Children should be aware of the effect they have on other children,' he said. 'These kind of things are not taught at schools.'

In his manifesto Rodger spoke about how he met James when he began junior school, and dubbed him King Arthur Kid because he had long blond hair.

Agitated: Rodger, pictured, said he would speak to his friend, James, for hours about his troubles

Agitated: Rodger, pictured, said he would speak to his friend, James, for hours about his troubles

He said that he was ‘kicking dust’ in the playground when he noticed Ellis doing the same.

‘We then teamed up and starting playing the game together, and this was the start of a long and interesting friendship,’ he wrote. 

‘This boy’s name was James Ellis, and he would become my best friend for the next 14 years of my life.’

However even in the early days Rodger said he felt left out by his best friend.

'During playdates with James, sometimes he would have other friends over as well, and I would feel very jealous and upset when he paid more attention to them. 

'Feeling left out, I would find a quiet corner and start crying.'

The pair remained best friends, sleeping over at each other’s houses all the time and still playing video games.

During the difficult teenage years in which he became increasingly isolated and frustrated, Rodger said Ellis was his only friend.

Parted: Rodger's friendship with James ended when he started to discuss how seeing couples made him angry

Parted: Rodger's friendship with James ended when he started to discuss how seeing couples made him angry

'James would be my only friend throughout the next depressing and lonely period of my life,' he wrote. 'My friendship with James helped me cope with the loneliness. The very few fun times we would have were like a light in the darkness for me.’ 

As teenagers they talked about their lack of a sex life.

'James was in a similar situation as I was,’ he wrote. 'He was a virgin like me, never having much interaction with girls in his life. 

'The two of us talked for hours about our troubles and our hopes of overcoming them. 

'It was nice to have such a good friend like James on my side, who could understnd and relate to me.'

But their friendship started falling apart when Rodger told James about his hatred and anger towards girls and people who had sex.

He started telling James how he wanted to attack couples showing affection in restaurants.

'I thought that James would relate to me, since he was also a virgin who had no girls in his life, but some of the things I said began to disturb him,' he wrote.

'One night, he told me, with a lot of distress, that enough was enough. He didn’t want to hear it anymore.'

Their friendship ended and they went to different colleges. 



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I guess the people who were stabbed to death and run over don't matter to the leftists because they aren't calling for knife or vehicle control.

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Hmmm...he STABBED half his victims, and all of the ones seriously injured he ran over with his BMW. Why is nobody talking about knife control, or vehicle control. More gun laws won't stop these maniacs. They'll just resort to other, perhaps more deadly methods such as bombs or arson. The method is not the problem.

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Hmmm...he STABBED half his victims, and all of the ones seriously injured he ran over with his BMW. Why is nobody talking about knife control, or vehicle control. Gun control won't stop these maniacs. They'll just resort to other, perhaps more deadly methods such as bombs or arson. The method is not the problem.

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I'm sick of seeing this M-Effers face.

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Elliot frequently noted the absence/lack of his father's support, guidance, & mentorship in his 141 page screed. He longingly wished his dad had taught him more about the facts of life, right from wrong, etc... His dad & stepmom kicked him out of their house & cut off communications w/him for awhile. To make matters worse, his mom also got tired of him living with her & being responsible for him. Which unfortunately led to both parents giving him an ultimatum, either: Get a job or Move to Santa Barbara to attend another community college & be with other kids his age. Knowing that he didn't have the ability and skills to hold down any job, he reluctantly agreed to move to Santa Barbara & take community classes there. Elliot relentlessly begged his parents to let him continue living with either of them & then broke down/crying profusely many times in front of them. He told them point blank that he CAN'T FUNCTION in a normal environment like normal people, but it all fell on deaf ears.

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I read that also and it did feel like the adults in his family unit really didn't want to deal with him. The ultimatum that was given him just one day to before was probably too much for him to deal with.

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Women should start shooting and then there will be laws against guns.

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North Korea, Iran, and Cuba has gun control. Only government sponsored shooting is allowed.

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Gun control is using both hands.

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The NRA isn't a plague to our nation. We've had gun rights since the beginning. But what is different is liberalism. It's a nasty festering sore on our country

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The father doesn't blame himself but blames my rights for his sons killings. I think asking politicians to do more to make more laws they don't already follow is stupid

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Why do people keep claiming there are no gun laws? There are thousands of laws on the books regulating the purchase and ownership of guns.

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