Elliot Rodger's Dad Embraces Victim's Father Over Common Ground

http://laist.com/2014/06/16/elliot_rodger_and_victims_father_em.php



Peter Rodger, the father of Santa Barbara mass murderer Elliot Rodger, and the father of one of the victims embraced in a show of solidarity.

Richard Martinez' only son, Christopher Michaels-Martinez, was killed while shopping at a deli when Rodger opened fire on the shop. He was 20 years old.

Martinez has been vocal with the press, telling the L.A.Times, "The talk about gun rights? What about Chris’ right to live? When will enough people say: 'Stop this madness! We don’t have to live like this! Too many people have died!'"

He said then he'd like to meet up with Peter Rodger to talk about preventing future incidents. The two finally met up on June 1. Photos taken by Rodger family friend Simon Astaire show the pair embracing were recently released.

Martinez told the NY Daily News, "I have met Peter Rodger, and we plan to work together so that other families such as ours will not have to suffer such as we have. This was a private conversation between grieving fathers who have reached common ground."