News
Canadian Town Unites in Mourning After Mass Shooting Leaves Community Reeling
Residents of British Columbia are reeling from the shooting, with many expressing that its effects have been far-reaching, touching nearly every member of the community in some capacity.
A devastating mass shooting has occurred in the small town of Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals, including six children, leaving the community in a state of shock.
According to Tracy Krauss, a local pastor, the town's residents had previously felt a sense of security, with newcomers often being teased for locking their doors, as crime was virtually non-existent in the area, the BBC reports.
However, this perception of safety has been shattered by the recent events, leaving Krauss and others to grapple with the reality of the situation.
The police have released the names of the victims, which include 12-year-old Zoey Benoit, described by those who knew her as an exceptionally strong and resilient young girl.
Another 12-year-old victim, Kylie Smith, was remembered by her family as a bright and aspiring artist who had dreams of attending art school, and was cherished as the "light" of her family.
The town of Tumbler Ridge, with a population of approximately 2,400 people, is struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, which has affected the close-knit community deeply.
A memorial has been established near the school, where people have been leaving flowers, teddy bears, and handwritten notes to honor the memories of the victims.
The incident is one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canada's history, a country where such events are relatively rare.
Support has been pouring in from across the country, with Prime Minister Mark Carney scheduled to visit the town on Friday to offer condolences.
Many questions remain unanswered regarding the shooting, including the motives behind 18-year-old suspect Jesse Van Rootselaar's actions.
Van Rootselaar was found dead at the scene, having sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound, while his mother and step-brother were found deceased at a local residence, according to the police.
Krauss noted that Van Rootselaar's family is well-known in the community and that they, too, are victims of the tragedy, emphasizing that the surviving relatives will also be grieving.
It is believed that Van Rootselaar killed his mother and step-brother before proceeding to Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where the shooting occurred, with police responding to reports of gunfire at approximately 13:30 local time on Tuesday.
During the attack, dozens of students, including 17-year-old Darian Quist, took shelter in their classrooms, with Quist and 15 others barricading themselves in their mechanics class using metal tables.
Quist recalled that they were initially unsure of the reason for hiding, but later discovered the truth through an alert on their phones, and remained in hiding for over two hours before being safely escorted out by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and SWAT officers.
The experience has left Quist and his classmates feeling angry, sad, and shocked, with Quist expressing his disbelief that such a tragedy could occur in their town.
Quist acknowledged the reality of the situation, stating that the lives lost were real, and the pain caused by the tragedy is undeniable.
Outside the school, parents gathered at a nearby community centre, anxiously waiting to be reunited with their children, with Krauss providing support to a friend whose son was among the students.
Krauss's friend later received the devastating news that their child was among the victims, leaving them heartbroken.
The pastor described the moment as "devastating," and emphasized the immense pain of losing a child, which she said is the worst possible experience for a parent.
Krauss noted that the shooting has affected everyone in the town in some way, stating that "everybody knows somebody" who has been impacted by the tragedy.
The town of Tumbler Ridge has a strong mining history and is also known for its natural beauty, with a UNESCO-recognised geopark that attracts tourists.
Bob Zimmer, the federal Conservative member of parliament representing the region, hopes that the town will not be defined by the tragedy, but rather by its beauty and the strength of its community.
Zimmer expressed his desire for the town to be remembered for its picturesque scenery and the resilience of its people, rather than the tragic event that occurred.
"The community wants to be known for its beauty and the beauty of its people," Zimmer told the BBC, acknowledging that the current situation is overshadowed by a "dark cloud" that will take time to lift.
Police reported that they had responded to multiple mental health calls involving Van Rootselaar in the past and had previously seized firearms from the suspect's home, which were later returned after a successful petition by the owner.
Authorities did not disclose the owner of the previously seized guns or how Van Rootselaar obtained the weapons used in the shooting, but noted that he had a gun licence that had expired in 2024.
Zimmer acknowledged that there will be difficult discussions in the aftermath of the shooting, including the need for more substantial mental health support, but emphasized that the community's focus is currently on grieving.
For now, Zimmer said that the community is focused on providing support and comfort to those affected, offering "hugs and appreciation" to help them through this difficult time.
Zimmer expressed his commitment to being present for the community, stating that they will provide hope and support, while also acknowledging that there are serious questions that need to be addressed in the aftermath of the tragedy.
"There are some serious questions that need to be answered," Zimmer said, emphasizing the importance of addressing these concerns in the future.
Entertainment And Arts
Spielberg Contributes $25,000 to Van Der Beek’s $2 Million Crowdfunding Campaign
The relatives of the deceased actor, known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, have expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the $2m fund.
A donation of $25,000 (£21,000) has been made by film director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, to a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $2m (£1.6m) for the family of late actor James Van Der Beek.
Van Der Beek, who passed away at the age of 48, is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children, and the crowdfunding effort to support his family has now exceeded its initial target of $2m.
Other notable donors include Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldana, who contributed $2,500 (£2,108), and director Jon M Chu, who gave $10,000 (£8,432) to the cause.
A statement from the organizers of the fundraiser, Friends of the Van Der Beek family, expressed gratitude to all contributors, stating that their support is deeply appreciated.
The statement highlighted the significance of the donations, saying that the kindness shown by contributors is beyond words.
It also noted that the outpouring of support has been a source of comfort during a difficult time, serving as a reminder of the power of love, community, and the enduring legacy of James Van Der Beek.
Van Der Beek was perhaps best known for his starring role in the popular US teen drama series Dawson's Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003, although he remained associated with the show until 2023.
Although Van Der Beek and Spielberg never collaborated on a project, the late actor's character in Dawson's Creek was a fan of Spielberg's work, with posters of films like ET and Schindler's List featured in his bedroom.
At a Dawson's Creek cast reunion event last year, Spielberg paid tribute to Van Der Beek by sending a video message.
In the message, Spielberg said, "Dawson, you made it," and jokingly added that he hoped to one day have a room like Dawson's, filled with memorabilia from his films.
Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday after a battle with bowel cancer.
He had been dealing with the diagnosis since August 2023 and publicly disclosed his condition in November 2024.
The GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the family with medical expenses, which had depleted their funds.
The statement from the organizers concluded by saying that the family is currently taking time to grieve and be together, and thanked everyone for their compassionate and generous support in honoring James Van Der Beek's life.
News
Zimbabwe Shocks Australia with Muzarabani’s Exceptional Performance
Zimbabwe secured a stunning 23-run victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup, with Blessing Muzarabani playing a key role by taking 4-17.
In the current T20 world rankings, Zimbabwe occupies the 12th position.
The Men's T20 World Cup is underway in Group B at Colombo.
Zimbabwe's innings concluded at 169-2 after 20 overs, with Bennett scoring an unbeaten 64 off 56 deliveries, while Green claimed 1-6.
Australia's reply ended at 146 after 19.3 overs, as Renshaw top-scored with 65 off 44 balls, and Muzarabani took 4-17.
The match resulted in a 23-run victory for Zimbabwe.
A standout performance from Blessing Muzarabani, who took 4-17, helped Zimbabwe secure a thrilling 23-run win over Australia in the T20 World Cup.
After being set a target of 170, Australia found themselves in trouble at 29-4, but a 77-run partnership between Matthew Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell for the fifth wicket gave them hope.
With 34 runs needed from the last two overs, Renshaw's dismissal for 65, caught off Muzarabani with eight balls remaining, essentially sealed the game's outcome.
The result has left Group B finely balanced after two matches each, with Australia trailing Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka by two points, ahead of their meeting with Sri Lanka on Monday.
Initially, Zimbabwe's approach to batting first at the R. Premadasa Stadium appeared overly cautious.
Brian Bennett's innings of 64 not out from 56 balls, including seven fours, was played at a strike rate of 114.28, as he anchored the Zimbabwean batting.
In contrast, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Ryan Burl adopted a more aggressive approach, scoring 35 off 21 and 30 balls, respectively.
A late surge from Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza, who scored 25 off 13 balls, including the team's only six on the final ball, provided a boost to their total.
Australia's target seemed achievable, given their total of 182-6 in their previous win against Ireland.
However, the Australian batting line-up was severely dented by the loss of key wickets, including Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Tim David, courtesy of Muzarabani and Brad Evans.
A partnership between Renshaw and Maxwell offered some respite, but when Maxwell fell for 31, dragged on to Burl, the pressure mounted on Australia.
Muzarabani's return to bowl the penultimate over proved decisive, as he removed Renshaw, and Zimbabwe subsequently wrapped up the win.
There are calls for the ICC to review the rules regarding 12th men.
For more information, including notifications and social media updates, visit BBC Sport.
A blogger who participates in the FPL is also competing in the T20 World Cup.
News
FA Cup Finalists Outside the Big Six Since 2008
As the FA Cup resumes this weekend, assess your understanding of past finalists that have competed from beyond the Premier League’s top six clubs.
This weekend, the FA Cup resumes with 32 teams remaining in contention for the historic trophy, which has been awarded for 155 years and will be presented to the winner in May.
Historically, the Premier League's top six clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham – have dominated the FA Cup, claiming 32 titles out of the last 37.
However, in recent years, teams outside of this elite group have experienced some notable victories in the competition.
Since 2008, 10 teams from outside the traditional 'big six' have advanced to the FA Cup final – can you identify all of them?
For more quizzes, visit our Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes sections, where you can also subscribe to receive the latest quizzes directly on your device.
We have a quiz question tailored to each Premier League team – test your knowledge and see how you score.
Can you recall every team that has won the Women's Champions League?
Which players have made the most appearances in the Premier League – can you name them all?
Explore our Sports Quizzes page for a wide range of challenging and engaging quizzes.
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