Disgruntled Employee Kills Virginia Reporter and Cameraman on Live TV

A television reporter and cameraman were shot dead during a live news broadcast for WDBJ-TV, a Roanoke-Lynchburg CBS affiliate, this morning in Moneta, Virginia.

Alison Parker, 24, and photojournalist Adam Ward, 27 were in the middle of filming a segment on tourism at the Bridgewater Plaza when several shots rang out at 6:45 am. In the video, Ward is seen attempting to run away when the camera looses focus and falls to the ground. We are not going to embed the graphic video, but you can watch it here.

Vicki Gardner, head of the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce, who was being interviewed at the time of the shooting was also shot in the back, and is currently in surgery.

A blurry screenshot of the shooter led to local media identifying the suspect as Vester Lee Flanagan II, who went by Bryce Williams while on air. Flanagan was hired as reporter for the station two years ago, but was fired. He led police on high speed chase on Interstate 66 before shooting himself. Despite conflicting reports saying the shooter was dead, WDBJ just reported that Flanagan is still alive, but in critical condition.

In a bizarre twist, Flanagan posted a series of tweets and videos attempting to explain the crime on social media before they were quickly taken down.

Twitter quickly suspended VA shooter @bryce_williams7. Took down the video. Here’s what he was claiming. #WDBJ pic.twitter.com/HmLdEwu0C9

— Amber Ryland (@Amber_Ryland) August 26, 2015

Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe identified the shooter to WTOP as a disgruntled employee prior to Flanagan’s name being released to the public. McAuliffe quickly issued his condolences over the shooting with this heartfelt statement.

Heartbroken over senseless murders today in Smith Mountain Lake. State Police on scene working w/ local law agencies to capture suspect. — Terry McAuliffe (@GovernorVA) August 26, 2015

Both Parker and Ward were in relationships with fellow station employees. Parker was dating Chris Hurst, the station’s 6 o’clock news anchor, and Ward had been engaged to journalist Melissa Ott. Hurst received an outpour of support after sending grief-stricken tweets to his followers, detailing his love for Parker.

We didn’t share this publicly, but @AParkerWDBJ7 and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. pic.twitter.com/tUrHVwAXcN — Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015

We were together almost nine months. It was the best nine months of our lives. We wanted to get married.We just celebrated her 24th birthday — Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015

She was the most radiant woman I ever met. And for some reason she loved me back. She loved her family, her parents and her brother. — Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) August 26, 2015

The shooting couldn’t have happened at crueler time for Ward’s fiancée. Ott was celebrating her last day at the station before moving to Charlotte with Ward to start a new job.

There’s a lot that still remains unknown about the shooting, including what would motivate the shooter to commit such a heinous crime, but our condolences go out to the victim’s station, family, and friends.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.