This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-34441200

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Roseburg: The small town struggling to survive a massacre Roseburg: The small town struggling to survive a massacre
(about 2 hours later)
The senseless shooting of nine college students has rocked the rural community of Roseburg, puncturing its peaceful existence as it questions whether it could have done anything to prevent the tragedy, and reigniting the issue of US gun control.The senseless shooting of nine college students has rocked the rural community of Roseburg, puncturing its peaceful existence as it questions whether it could have done anything to prevent the tragedy, and reigniting the issue of US gun control.
Signs of sorrow and solidarity are visible everywhere in the usually reserved town - a place that is often passed by as people drive down Interstate 5 to Oregon's larger cities of Portland or Salem.Signs of sorrow and solidarity are visible everywhere in the usually reserved town - a place that is often passed by as people drive down Interstate 5 to Oregon's larger cities of Portland or Salem.
"Our thoughts are with families for loved ones lost," reads one. "Thank you to all first responders," says another. Across the road, the single word "prayers" sits alongside the slogan "UCC [Umpqua Community College] strong"."Our thoughts are with families for loved ones lost," reads one. "Thank you to all first responders," says another. Across the road, the single word "prayers" sits alongside the slogan "UCC [Umpqua Community College] strong".
Practically everyone in this close-knit community of about 20,000 people knew someone who was at Umpqua Community College when 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer went on his savage shooting spree.Practically everyone in this close-knit community of about 20,000 people knew someone who was at Umpqua Community College when 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer went on his savage shooting spree.
Supermarket cashier Latysha Nash, 23, says it's the type of town where she knows all her customers by name. "Everyone is hurting so much. I lost my 18-year-old cousin and my family friend Quinn Cooper. It's hard to be at work, I've broken down twice. But we have to stay strong. It's what my cousin would have wanted," she says.Supermarket cashier Latysha Nash, 23, says it's the type of town where she knows all her customers by name. "Everyone is hurting so much. I lost my 18-year-old cousin and my family friend Quinn Cooper. It's hard to be at work, I've broken down twice. But we have to stay strong. It's what my cousin would have wanted," she says.
Oregon college shooting - in depthOregon college shooting - in depth
Should media name mass killers? - the copycat killing phenomenonShould media name mass killers? - the copycat killing phenomenon
Army vet 'hero' in Oregon shooting - the man that tried to stop the attackArmy vet 'hero' in Oregon shooting - the man that tried to stop the attack
US gun violence in numbers - shootings have become increasingly commonplace.US gun violence in numbers - shootings have become increasingly commonplace.
What we know about Chris Harper Mercer - the alleged gunman reportedly supported the IRA.What we know about Chris Harper Mercer - the alleged gunman reportedly supported the IRA.
Oregon shooting: The '4chan' thread - did the gunman give a warning on the internet?Oregon shooting: The '4chan' thread - did the gunman give a warning on the internet?
Kenny Freeman, 19, agrees. But he can't get the sound of screaming out of his head. "I'm terrified of going back to college. It's good to be busy working today because I spent all of yesterday thinking about it," he says.Kenny Freeman, 19, agrees. But he can't get the sound of screaming out of his head. "I'm terrified of going back to college. It's good to be busy working today because I spent all of yesterday thinking about it," he says.
Like many people in the town, they both have a deep desire to do something for the victims.
Kenny is helping his mother organise a run. "It was originally for Breast Cancer and 150 people were running. Now we've got 1,000 and the money will go to their families," he says.
Latysha has made hundreds of green ribbons for her colleagues to wear. It's one of many fundraisers that has seen Roseburg reflect the greenery of its lush, tree-topped landscape, which has entwined the town's history with that of the timber industry.
Three hundred green and white balloons were released at a football game for 18-year-old shooting victim Rebecca Carnes on Friday. Dozens of locals also wore green "praying for UCC" T-shirts as they walked through one of the town's main parks to honour the victims on Saturday.
The colour was chosen because it is a college colour, not because of any link to the town's rich tapestry of trees. Students there are more likely to sign up for healthcare and computer courses, or study at the South Oregon Wine Institute to capitalise on the region's blossoming wine industry than work in the logging industry now.
Standing in line to donate blood at Mercy Medical Centre, where many of the injured students were rushed after the attack, Tanya Talbot, 22, is angry that the gunman targeted people "who were trying to better themselves".Standing in line to donate blood at Mercy Medical Centre, where many of the injured students were rushed after the attack, Tanya Talbot, 22, is angry that the gunman targeted people "who were trying to better themselves".
"My best friend's sister is still having surgery. She was shot 10 times but thankfully she's expected to be OK."My best friend's sister is still having surgery. She was shot 10 times but thankfully she's expected to be OK.
"I'm more mad than sad - why would someone go to such extreme measures to destroy so many lives? Why should people be scared? Teachers should be armed and prepared," she says."I'm more mad than sad - why would someone go to such extreme measures to destroy so many lives? Why should people be scared? Teachers should be armed and prepared," she says.
Like with every mass shooting in America, the tragedy has brought the political issue of gun control to the fore.Like with every mass shooting in America, the tragedy has brought the political issue of gun control to the fore.
Oregon became the eighth US state to require screening on nearly all gun sales in May after Democrat Governor Kate Brown signed a new bill, but Republicans vehemently opposed the measure, and Roseburg is a predominantly conservative community.Oregon became the eighth US state to require screening on nearly all gun sales in May after Democrat Governor Kate Brown signed a new bill, but Republicans vehemently opposed the measure, and Roseburg is a predominantly conservative community.
Pastor Boyd Dahl, 66, says most people grew up with guns and don't see them as threat. "I grew up getting a box of bullets every day and I'd shoot them.Pastor Boyd Dahl, 66, says most people grew up with guns and don't see them as threat. "I grew up getting a box of bullets every day and I'd shoot them.
"It's something fathers teach their sons. Good people would fight you if you said they were taking their gun, just like they would if it was the family silver," he says."It's something fathers teach their sons. Good people would fight you if you said they were taking their gun, just like they would if it was the family silver," he says.
Five miles up the road, 73-year-old John Keller is being bought a hunting gun by his wife for his birthday. He's appalled by the UCC shooting, but strongly believes that people have the right to own a gun for their own protection.Five miles up the road, 73-year-old John Keller is being bought a hunting gun by his wife for his birthday. He's appalled by the UCC shooting, but strongly believes that people have the right to own a gun for their own protection.
Most of the community seems to agree, although some want gun owners to come under more scrutiny.Most of the community seems to agree, although some want gun owners to come under more scrutiny.
"I'm devastated this happened in my hometown, I would never have expected it. We need more gun control laws, armed guards and metal detectors," says 24-year-old UCC student Sheyenne Smith."I'm devastated this happened in my hometown, I would never have expected it. We need more gun control laws, armed guards and metal detectors," says 24-year-old UCC student Sheyenne Smith.
About 47% of Americans say they favour stricter laws covering the sale of firearms, according to Gallop. That rose to 58% in the wake of the Sandy Hook primary school shootings in 2012, but Pew Research suggests shootings generally don't substantially affect citizens' views on gun control.About 47% of Americans say they favour stricter laws covering the sale of firearms, according to Gallop. That rose to 58% in the wake of the Sandy Hook primary school shootings in 2012, but Pew Research suggests shootings generally don't substantially affect citizens' views on gun control.
Residents of Roseburg are hoping the horror that has sent shock waves through their community won't change the way the US sees their home either.Residents of Roseburg are hoping the horror that has sent shock waves through their community won't change the way the US sees their home either.
An anonymity campaign about the gunman has been driven by Douglas County Sheriff John Halin, who said: "You will never hear me say his name."An anonymity campaign about the gunman has been driven by Douglas County Sheriff John Halin, who said: "You will never hear me say his name."
Nobody seems to know the gunman, and nobody wants to know him.Nobody seems to know the gunman, and nobody wants to know him.
Most people would rather talk about their heroes - army veteran Chris Mintz, who was shot seven times after he stood up to the shooter, and Alek Skarlotos, the National Guard member who overpowered a heavily-armed gunman in northern France earlier this year, who is also from Roseburg. They would rather talk about their heroes - army veteran Chris Mintz, who was shot seven times after he stood up to the shooter, and Alek Skarlotos, the National Guard member who overpowered a heavily-armed gunman in northern France earlier this year, who is also from Roseburg.
Another powerful message has been left for the community on the pavement beneath the "pray for Roseburg" sign that has become a place for people to lay flowers. It's a brave attempt at unity and strength as this town struggles to deal with its grief.
It's made out of 3,000 small stone pebbles, decorated with brightly-coloured hearts, and is from a mother who lost her son in a high school shooting just outside Portland, Oregon, just over a year ago.
It reads: "Hope. United. Love."