Need to Know - Charleston Massacre

This week we saw tragic events in Charleston, South Carolina unfold when 9 people were shot while at a pray meeting in church on Wednesday night by who FBI would later identify as 21-year-old Dylann Roof. The pray group had apparently welcomed Dylann to join them before the attack. One of the survivors of the attack was a 5-year-old girl who survived by playing dead. Dylann was successfully arrested on Thursday in Shelby, N.C. after being alerted by a florist who identified the suspect based on police reports.

It's believed Dylann Roof had been "planning something like that for six months" according to his roommate and wanted to start "a civil war". Since the attack there has been wide spread condemnation with President Obama pleading for tougher gun controls as well as prays being held around the United States for the victims of the attack.

Tragic Deaths and The Law

This week we see man recovering from natural and accidental tragedies while the law takes center stage over escaped prisoners and excessive force.

Tragedies

We begin with man vs nature as South Korea announces more deaths from MERS as the virus continues to spread and entire villages are quarantined. However, even with the virus claiming more lives the WHO has not implemented any travels bans. Continuing with nature and her deadly rampage we find Napal hit with a deadly landslide claiming 21 lives.

After an earthquake on a sacred mountain in Malaysia killed 16 people news broke that tourists who posed naked were arrested and are blamed for angering tribal spirits that caused the quake. Previous tragedies still carried the weight of grieving families as 430 people that died in China when a boat capsizing were honored while the remains from the Germanwings crash were returned to family after 11 weeks.

The Law

With nature fighting back we find more worries in the form of two convicted murders on the run after escaping using power tools, the search has lead police to expand into neighbouring Vermont as house to house searches continue. On the subject of law enforcement a police officer criticized for excessive force at a Texas pool party has resigned even after the Police Chief defended his actions.

Finally we end with Oscar Pistorius who could be released from prison as early as August after just 10 months behind bars to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest.

Where in the world? Ferguson, USA

The city of Ferguson erupted this week after the grand jury's decision to not indict Officer Darren Wilson for the killing of Michael Brown.

Announcement

President Obama called for protests to be peaceful ahead of the grand jury announcement however things would soon turn sour with Attorney General Eric Holder being asked to intervene once again.

During the trial Officer Darren Wilson claimed that he followed his training and that Micheal had attacked him resulting in him firing at Micheal. In his first interview since the trial Darren Wilson claims he wouldn't do anything different and his attorneys say he has accepted that his career in law enforcement is over.

After the verdict was handed down Michael Browns mother broke down crying, she would later speak out saying she felt as if she had been shot.

Response

Protests sprung up across the states after the judgement was handed down with thousands flooding the streets of Los Angeles and New York, there were even protests as far a field as London consisting of several thousand. As protests grew more violent a police car was set on fire and another was flipped over outside of Ferguson City Hall. During protests a driver was caught on camera driving into a group of protestors dragging a women in front of the car.

With a second night of protests planned an anti-government militia travelled to Ferguson and said they would be willing to use lethal force to protect the city's business. The National Guard was called out by Missouri Governor to guard against fresh riots with over 400 people being arrested.

While outrage turned to violence in Ferguson many celebrities took to social media with Rihanna to Lena Dunham giving their condolences. Towards the end of the week as protests began to dwindle an uneasy calm fell on Ferguson with no one knowing what will trigger the next outburst.

Big Brother or Big Bully?

What happens when the people given power turn on you? The world has seen protests flaring up as police brutality and political interference impeded progress and grow ever more violent.

Hong Kong

The recent protests in Hong Kong (previously blogged about here) were reignited with outrage after video footage of demonstrators being assaulted by police was released resulting in 6 officers being suspended. It is also rumored that thugs were hired to break up protests.

The violence began when police started removing barriers trying to clear protest sites. Police continued clearing protest sites across Hong Kong over the week with violence often following. With the clean up operations under way and violence prevalent Hong Kong leaders have said they are willing to meet with students.

St. Louis and Ferguson

Protests erupted when another young black man was shot and killed by a white police officer in St. Louis resulting in police in riot gear and armed with pepper spray emulating the pattern seen in Ferguson (previously blogged about here) just a few short months earlier.

Police began blocking their radio communication ahead of "Ferguson October" after activists, protestors and media listened in on them via scanners. 50 protestors were arrested in Ferguson after descending on the police station where the original shooting took place.

Mexico

Thousands turned out to protest over the disappearance of students by gangs supposedly backed by police. The students that disappeared were believed to have been found when five mass graves were discovered, however, none of the bodies were of the 43 college students that went missing after clashes with police.

Tragedies and a second chance

It's been a week of tragedy with lives lost but a second chance for one lucky soul.

Nelson Mandela remembered

Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has passed away at the age of 95. Tributes have poured in from around the world in honour of a man who's legacy has forever changed a nation. As a South African I would like to thank him for everything he did.

NYC commuter train derailed

A New York City commuter train derailed killing 4 people injuring another 60. It is believed that speed played an important part in the accident when the train was recorded as traveling at 82 mph in a 30 mph section of track.

Paul Walker car crash

Hollywood actor Paul Walker died when the car he was a passenger in crashed into a poll and burst into flames killing Paul and the driver. Paul leaves behind a 17 year old daughter, Meadow.

Scottish police helicopter crash

A police helicopter crashed into a pub in Scotland killing 9 people, including the pilot and police on board the helicopter, and injuring 32 in the pub. Authorities have removed the wreckage to try determine why the helicopter crashed.

Ship salvage turns into rescue

A salvage team found a survivor after a ship went down with 12 men on board. The survivor, the ships cook, survived for 3 days with no water or food in an air pocket.