Authorities: LA freeway shooting suspect a "loner" and "gamer"

TUSTIN, California The shooter who went on a violent rampage in California earlier this week has been described by authorities as a "loner" and a "gamer," CBS LA reports. The Orange Country sheriff's department has been investigating 20-year-old suspect Ali Syed since he allegedly shot five people, three fatally, before turning the gun on himself.

Violent video games and mass violence: A complex link "He spent a lot of time alone in his room playing video games," said Orange County Sheriff's department spokesman Jim Amormino.

There is still no known motive in the case and law enforcement officials are now trying to determine whether Syed, an unemployed part-time college student, was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The first victim in Tuesday's shooting spree was identified as 20-year-old Courtney Aoki. She was shot multiple times around 4:30 a.m. in Syed's home. The relationship between Aoki and Syed is still unknown.

After allegedly killing Aoki, Syed fled the home he shared with his parents in an SUV.

His mother, Sarwat Syed, called 911 after hearing shots downstairs from her third floor bedroom.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department released a recording of that phone call in which a frantic Sarwat told the dispatcher that someone was in the house.

CBS News/ February 21, 2013, 3:56 PM Authorities: LA freeway shooting suspect a "loner" and "gamer" 1Comment / 3Shares / 2Tweets / Stumble / Email More + .. This undated image provided by the Tustin Police Department shows Ali Syed, a suspect in a series of shootings Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 in southern California. / AP Photo/Tustin Police Dept. TUSTIN, California The shooter who went on a violent rampage in California earlier this week has been described by authorities as a "loner" and a "gamer," CBS LA reports. The Orange Country sheriff's department has been investigating 20-year-old suspect Ali Syed since he allegedly shot five people, three fatally, before turning the gun on himself.

Violent video games and mass violence: A complex link "He spent a lot of time alone in his room playing video games," said Orange County Sheriff's department spokesman Jim Amormino.

After allegedly killing Aoki, Syed fled the home he shared with his parents in an SUV.

His mother, Sarwat Syed, called 911 after hearing shots downstairs from her third floor bedroom.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department released a recording of that phone call in which a frantic Sarwat told the dispatcher that someone was in the house.

Los Angeles Freeway Shooting Update: New details emerge about rampage Los Angeles freeway shooter identified as 20-year-old student Ali Syed

Syed reportedly carjacked a number of vehicles across the cities of Orange, Tustin and Villa Park after he left his parents' home.

Authorities said he shot and killed two people and injured at least three more before turning the gun on himself. Sheriff's department spokesman Jim Amormino said an autopsy confirmed Syed died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The gun belonged to Syed and was purchased by his father a year ago.

Syed's family is heartbroken by the situation, according to family attorney Vincent John LaBarbera Jr.

"Their thoughts and prayers go out to the families of all the victims," he said. "They will continue to assist authorities in the investigation as they themselves try to make sense of this tragedy. The Syed family has much to overcome in the months ahead and we ask that you respect their privacy at this time of tremendous sorrow."

Earlier this week, another grisly crime was linked to gaming when authorities told CBS News correspondent Bob Orr they believe Adam Lanza may have been acting out fantasies from a video shooting game when he killed 26 people at the Sandy Hook Elementary School last December.

I’m an EVE capsuleer for the most part, and I’m glad to hear people are interested in Dust. Once it’s fully implemented, it’s going to be a real cool system.

I don’t honestly play BF3 that much anymore. As with any multiplayer FPS, people find ways to circumvent the “balancing” parts of the game. When I do play, it’s usually on hardcore maps. There needs to be consequence to playing recklessly, and a lot of these kids load up buggies with C4, drive them directly at a tank, jump out at the last second and detonate; affectionately known as the “Jihad Jeep.”

We play hardcore, stay in squads, get on coms, and we go nuts on the ground. We keep squad composition proper (2 assault, one medic, one grenadier; one engineer; one support/supply), and we play tactically. If I can get that sort of group together, I’ll play for hours. Otherwise, I stick to EVE or Minecraft if I’m feeling anti-social.

Diplomacy was mentioned in the other post I was responding to. A youth pastor of mine introduced me to the game (billed as Henry Kissenger’s favorite board game). It is a total blast, but plays way to slow for most.

The irony of my youth pastor introducing me to a game whose object is to lie...not lost on me. But a great game (if you win or do well). He told me stories about playing in college - best friends wouldn’t speak for days after playing.

I use to host BF2 parties at my house. Some friends from work or church would come over and we would squad up and have so much fun.

My 12 year old daughter (now 17) was one of the best players around - almost always one of the top 2 or 3 scores on a given map. And she still does just fine on BF3. I just didn’t pony up the money to build 2 computers that will play the game, so we don’t play together like we used to.

I have never gotten into any other shooter games. My brother plays Halo and CoD and such. I just stick with BF games.

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