Elliot Rodger Wannabe Arrested at University of Washington

The University of Washington student celebrated Rodger who killed seven people and wounded 13 more during a university shooting ambush last month because he said, among other things, women wouldn’t date him. Bhide claimed to be the “next Elliot Rodger” and vowed to “do the right thing this time.” According to KIRO 7 news, he further identified himself as a Seattle resident and a UoW student before adding “I’ll make sure I kill only women.”

While police pulled his address from his screen name “Foss Dark,” it’s unclear whether the anonymous threats aimed at UW sororities referencing the Rodger shootings, including chalk outlines outside of the greek houses, were made by Bhinde.

He is now being held in lieu of $150,000 bail while under investigation for cyberstalking and felony harassment. Bhinde is expected to be charged this week.

This incident highlights former Rep. Gabby Giffords’ recent call through her Americans For Responsible Solutions group to make gun violence a women’s issue. She pointed out, according to The Wire, that “women are eleven times more likely to be killed by guns than any other high-income country and and every month, nearly 50 women are shot to death by a current or former partner.” Trends like Rodger and Bhinde strengthen Giffords’ points as does the frequency of school shootings targeting children and as her group puts campaign money behind their cause, she might be on to something.