Seven people have died following a series of drive-by shootings in a town in Southern California on Friday night, CNN reported.

The tragedy occurred in Isla Vista, a small town near the campus of the University of California at Santa Barbara. According to authorities, a lone gunman opened fire on passerby from a black BMW, killing six and severely injuring seven more.

"Sheriff's deputies responded and found several victims suffering from gunshot wounds," spokesperson Kelly Hoover said. "As sheriff's deputies were attending to the victims and performing first aid, they were also receiving suspect information. Only minutes later, there were additional reports of shots fired in several other areas of Isla Vista."

The violence began at 9:27 p.m., when the first shots were reported. Sheriff's deputies traded fire with the suspected assailant before the gunman crashed into a parked vehicle.

Police found the gunman dead from a gunshot wound to the head.. At this time, it is unclear if the gunman was killed by authorities or if the wound was self-inflicted.

A semiautomatic handgun was recovered from the scene. Authorities believe the gunman acted alone. Hoover said that the suspect has been "preliminarily indentified" but are unable to release his name until a positive identification is made.

Rumors are circulating that the shooting may have been connected to an online threat.

KEYT wrote, "Word on the street quickly spread about an ominous YouTube video posted by a young man who identified himself as Elliot Rodger, titled 'Retribution.' The nearly seven minute long rant blasts women who've ignored or rejected him over the past eight years and warns that he will 'punish you all for it.'"

"The sheriff's office has obtained and is currently analyzing written and video evidence that suggests this was a premeditated mass murder," Hoover said. Video provided below.

She went on to say the shooting was "obviously the work of a mad man."

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