![]() "I cannot tell you how much they were loved. ![]() The station says Ward was a graduate of Virginia Tech. The station's general manager, Jeff Marks, called the shooting "a terrible crime against two fine journalists."Īccording to WDBJ7's website, Parker graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, was an avid kayaker and attended community theater events in her spare time. It showed an outstretched arm holding the handgun and firing repeatedly at Parker as she tried to run away. Video of the shooting was later posted on the Twitter account and Facebook page of Bryce Williams, the pseudonym Flanagan used at WDBJ. The footage then switches back to the studio showing a presenter looking shocked.Ī second video of the shooting, apparently recorded by the killer, was posted on social media even as police tried to locate the suspect. Virginia TV Journalists Shot and Killed on Air (VIDEO) mj santilli News 16 Comments Two Roanoke Virginia news reporters were shot dead by a gunman who then turned his weapon on himself, after being confronted by police following a highway chase. In the video, as the camera falls to the ground, viewers can see a fleeting image of a man in black pants and a blue top who appears to be holding a handgun. The local TV station's shocking footage of the shooting was published on several websites. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital a few hours after the incident after reportedly shooting himself while being pursued by police. The suspect in the shooting was identified as Vester Flanagan, 41, according to a dispatcher for the Augusta County, Virginia, Sheriff's Department. Parker and Ward were filming a feature segment for the morning news programme at Bridgewater Plaza, a shopping and recreation centre. ![]() Reports are emerging that the gunman fired at multiple civilians. The WDBJ7 television station said that reporter Alison Parker, 24, and cameraman Adam Ward, 27, died in the shooting. "There is too much gun violence in the United States of America.The incident occurred during a live broadcast for WDBJ7 on location in the small town of Moneta in Bedford County, when suddenly shots could be heard, sending the reporter screaming and ducking for cover. "There are too many guns in the hands of people who should not have guns," he said. McAuliffe said the incident highlighted the need for tighter gun controls. "This was going to be a day of celebration for her time here and wishing her good luck," Marks said. Ott was working her last day at WDBJ before moving on to another station in another city, and looking forward to a farewell party with her colleagues. "It's hard to believe, isn't it," the grief-stricken station manager said. Ward's fiancee, Melissa Ott, a producer at the TV station, was in the control room when the shooting occurred and watched it unfold, Marks told CNN. "She worked with Adam every day," Hurst added. It was the best nine months of our lives. Her boyfriend, WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst, said on Twitter that he and Parker were "very much in love," adding: "I am numb." On her Facebook page, Parker - whose birthday was just a week ago - described herself as the "mornin' reporter" at WDBJ and a ballroom dancing enthusiast. Judging from the video, Marks said it appeared Ward was shot first, with Parker subsequently hit as she tried to run away. The station then cut away to a startled anchorwoman back in the studio. Several shots were heard, as well as screams, as Ward's camera fell to the floor, capturing a fuzzy and chilling glimpse of the gunman, dressed in dark clothing. Parker was talking to Vicki Gardner, head of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce, about tourism development for WDBJ's early-morning newscast when the gunman seemingly closed in from behind. The woman who Parker was interviewing on a balcony at the lakeside Bridgewater Resort in the town of Moneta, near Roanoke, was "seriously injured," Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia said. Marks said Parker and Ward were "both in love with other members of the team" at WDBJ. ![]() Police "know the suspect, they have identified the suspect (and) are in pursuit," he told Washington's WTOP all-news radio. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said the gunman was believed to be "a disgruntled employee" of the network, and that his arrest was imminent. WDBJ is located in the Virginia city of Roanoke, about 240 miles (385 kilometers) southwest of the US capital Washington.
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