MONETA // An American television reporter and cameraman were shot dead during a live interview on Wednesday by a gunman who recorded the kilings and then posted the video on social media after fleeing the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as a fellow journalist who had been fired from the station earlier this year. Hours after the shooting attack and hundreds of miles away, he ran off the road and a trooper found him with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He died at a hospital later in the day.
The shots rang out on air as reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were presenting a local tourism story. Viewers saw her scream and run, and she could be heard saying “Oh my God,” as she fell.
Ward fell, too, and the camera he had been holding on his shoulder captured a fleeting image of the suspect holding a handgun.
Vicki Gardner, who was being interviewed, was also wounded in the attack. Last night she was in a stable condition after undergoing a surgery.
Following the shooting, WDBJ quickly switched back to the anchor at the station, her eyes large and jaw dropping as she said, “OK, not sure what happened there.”
The station later went live again, reporting on their own station and staff as the story developed.
The suspect was identified as Vester Lee Flanagan II, 41, of Roanoke, by the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office. He had appeared on WDBJ as Bryce Williams.
Jeffrey Marks, WDBJ’s president and general manager, said that Flanagan had to be escorted by police out of the station when he was dismissed from the job.
Mr Marks described him as “an unhappy man” and “difficult to work with,” always “looking out for people to say things he could take offence to”.
“Eventually after many incidents of his anger ... we dismissed him. He did not take that well,” Mr Marks said.
Video posted hours after the shooting on Williams’ Twitter account and Facebook page showed an outstretched arm holding the handgun and firing repeatedly at Parker as she tried to run away.
About 15 shots could be heard, including several that were fired after the video goes dark.
Tweets posted on Williams’ Twitter account on Wednesday described workplace conflicts with both victims. They say that Williams filed complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Parker, and that Ward had reported Williams to human resources department.
Williams had alleged that other employees made racially tinged comments at him, Mr Marks said, but his EEOC claim was dismissed and that none of his allegations could be corroborated. “We think they were fabricated,” he said.
The two victims were romantically involved with other employees at the station, according to Parker’s boyfriend, WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst. He wrote online that they hadn’t shared their relationship publicly but “were very much in love.” He said they had just moved in together and wanted to get married. “I am numb,” he said.
* Associated Press
