A drive by shooting in California that left seven people dead, including the shooter, is being described as "premeditated mass murder" by police. A further seven were wounded, one of whom is critically ill.

The shooting began last night in Isla Vista, not far from University of California-Santa Barbara. Witnesses report seeing a black BMW speeding through the streets, spraying gunfire at those it passed. Emergency services were soon on the scene, finding a number of victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Only minutes after the first emergency call was made, police intercepted the car and a gunfight ensued, with the BMW eventually crashing into a parked car. The man was found dead from gunshot wounds, though it is not yet known whether these were from police or self-inflicted. A semi-automatic handgun was found in the car.

The name of the suspect is known to the police, though it has not yet been released by police. Local station KEYT reports that police are investigating a video posted to social media by the man which contains a tirade against women. Santa Barbara Sheriff Bill Brown called the suspect "severely mentally disturbed."