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Authorities: Discharged gun in Santa Barbara unrelated to rampage

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A UC Santa Barbara student who was arrested this week after seven firearms and 1,000 rounds of ammunition were found in his apartment is not connected to last week’s deadly rampage in Isla Vista, authorities said Thursday.

Kevin Tym, 21, of Isla Vista was taken into custody Tuesday. He admitted to deputies that he was playing with his legally owned Glock handgun when it accidentally discharged about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, sending a round through his neighbor’s wall in the 6500 block of Pardall Road, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said.

The bullet apparently deflected off a TV stand and lodged in a wall, just missing his neighbor, sheriff’s officials said.

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During a search of his apartment, deputies found firearms, ammunition and high-capacity assault rifle magazines, all of which Tym legally owned, the department said in the statement.

Tym apparently is a gun collector and “likes shooting,” Sgt. Mark A. Williams said.

Tym’s arrest, he said, was completely separate and unrelated to Friday’s deadly rampage.

Deputies searched Tym’s cellphone and home and did not find any evidence that would indicate he suffered from mental illness or had any intentions to use weapons for anything other than recreational purposes, Williams said.

The incident occurred hours before a memorial was planned at UC Santa Barbara for the six students killed in Isla Vista.

Authorities say 22-year-old Elliot Rodger stabbed three students, shot three others and injured 13 before killing himself.

UC Santa Barbara officials had declared Tuesday a day of mourning and reflection and classes were canceled.

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