Mother of Santa Monica Gunman Breaks Silence

Randa Abdou, the mother of Santa Monica gunman John Zawahri, has asked the media for privacy following a flush of reported details that point to violent troubles at home while Zawahri was growing up, according to Fox News and the Los Angeles Times.

"As may be assumed, I am in mourning for my family and those who were also affected by this horrific tragedy over the past few days," Abdou's statement read, according to Fox and the Times. "I cannot express my great sadness for the families who are also suffering at this terrible time. I do ask the media to please give me time to grieve and come to grips with the overwhelming sorrow. This has befallen all of us."

The 23-year-old Zawahri engaged in a shooting spree Friday, killing five people before being shot dead by police at the campus library at Santa Monica College.  Since the shootings, memorials and special support funds to help victims' families have been set up, final exams at the college were finished, and more light has been shed on Zawahri's family.

Court records and further interviews pointed to marital troubles between Zawahri's parents, troubles that included verbal and physical abuse, a restraining order, at least two separations, and one incident in which Abdou called her son's preschool sounding "hysterical ... and desperate" about her knife-wielding husband, according to the L.A. Times.

Click on the hyperlinks to check out the rest of the L.A. Times and Fox News stories.

Here's more coverage of the Santa Monica shootings:

• 5 Killed in Santa Monica Shootings
• Santa Monica Schools Impacted; Samohi Graduation Goes On as Planned 
  
• Shootings Change Obama’s Travel Plans
  
• Santa Monica Reacts to Violence at SMC
• SMC Cancels Weekend Events, Offers Support Services
  
• Police Search Mar Vista Unit for Santa Monica Shooting Link
• Neighbors Recount How Quiet Neighborhood Erupted Into Violence
• SMC Working on Plan for Students to Retrieve Property Left on Campus
  
• Police Release Details About Santa Monica Shootings
• Counseling Availble for Santa Monica College Students