Toronto Eaton Centre Shooting and Luka Rocco Magnotta

You'd think Canada making international headlines would be something amazing to talk about at the dinner table. Except this time it's less amazing and more horrifying news. Canada is known to be a pretty safe and friendly country to live in but with two events this past week spotlighted in newscasts all over the country and the world, it's hard to see such a great country.

Photo from The Toronto Star. L: Justin Lin, R: Luka Rocco Magnotta

At first it was just a gruesome discovery. If anybody's thoughts were similar to mine they'd think it was just a sick prank to throw off the Conservative Government. I mean, there are plenty of people who aren't exactly fans of Mr. Harper or his government. Instead it turned into an international manhunt to find one Luka Rocco Magnotta. A wannabe porn star and  former Toronto resident, became the lead suspect in a gruesome murder investigation. Turns out there are/were six body parts in total sent through Canada Post to various people all over the country. Police then discovered the torso of Justin Lin shoved into a suitcase and left on the side of the road. What's worse is there were notes with the parcels that claimed that he would kill again.

While it's not 100 per cent that Magnotta is even the right person that Canadian law enforcement is looking for, Magnotta became even more suspicions when he fled the country. Many countries all over the world and Interpol were on the lookout for this crazed man in hopes he was found sooner rather than later. Luckily with the help of loyal citizens, Magnotta was captured in Germany today. I'm sure the process of getting him back on Canadian soil to proceed with proper prosecution measures will be long and grueling but it's a huge relief to know that he's no longer out in the public where, if he had chosen to do so, could have killed again.

I won't post any of the grotesque details that all media outlets have been doing; I'm sure you've already gotten the point. It's scary to wonder what could possibly cause somebody to do something to another human being. Sure there are murders out there, they happen on a semi-regular basis, but ones of this nature are rare and disturbing.



The second headline that made international news was a gunman opening fire in a busy food court in the Eaton Centre in Toronto this past Saturday evening. Without warning a man pulled out a gun killing one man, and wounding seven others before running off. It's bad enough to hear that a shooting in such a great city has occurred but for it to happen in such a public place where both Torontonians AND tourists like to visit on a regular basis, it's just insane. I myself was there in that exact area not even two months ago. This just proves that it can happen ANYWHERE.

Photo from The Toronto Star taken by a bystander

Four of the victims were lucky to have minor wounds and were let go from the hospital. One 23-year-old man, who got shot in the neck still remains in critical condition, while a 13-year-old boy visiting Toronto with his family, is listed as in fair condition.

It turns out that the alleged shooter Christopher Husbands, turned himself into police in the early hours of the morning today. Whether it was guilt for what he had done or pressure from people around him, I'm glad he made the decision to turn himself over.


And these are only Canadian headlines. I realize that stuff like this makes headlines all the time, but because it's so close to home and the fact that it not exactly a "normal" headline, may be the reason why it's so nerve-wracking. There seems to be a string of violent attacks all over North America lately and it's kind of bone-chilling. It's almost as if there's been one to many episodes of Criminal Minds - except it's real. For example the man who was shot dead by police after found eating another mans face off. Or another man who sliced open his gut and threw his intestines at police officials. A new drug called "Bath Salts" is to blame, but it's still such a bizarre occurrence that it has got everybody talking! Anybody ready for a Zombie Apocalypse?

Lots of writing today, I'm sorry. I hope you took the time to read all this and if you have any comments feel free to share your thoughts and opinions!

- Taryn

*all facts and photos were grabbed from The Toronto Star and CBC. Everything else is just my opinon!