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Reporters killed by gunman on live TV in Virginia

Tragic and horrifying.

Photo of Patrick Howell O'Neill

Patrick Howell O'Neill

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Two reporters were killed during a live television news broadcast early Wednesday morning in Virginia.

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Allison Parker, 24, and Adam Ward, 27, worked for WDBJ7, the local CBS News affiliate. The shooting took place at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. Parker, a reporter, and Ward, a cameraman, died as a result of the shooting shortly after 6:45am ET, CBS News reports, according to WDBJ7 station manager Jeff Marks

Update 10:27am CT, Aug. 26: Police were seeking Vester L. Flanagan, 41, a former employee of WDBJ7, who went by the name Bryce Williams on air. Authorities have stopped short of calling Flanagan/Williams a “suspect” in the shooting. However, accounts using the name Bryce Williams have posted video of the shooting on Facebook and Twitter. The accounts have been suspended.

Update 1:13pm CT, Aug. 26: Flanagan has died after a self-inflicted gun wound, reports Vice News.

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The gunman’s face was captured in the live broadcast of the shooting.

WDBJ7

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Parker’s partner, Chris Hurst, who is also an anchor at WDBJ7, shared his thoughts after the shooting.

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WDBJ7 reports that Ward’s fiancée was at the station when the shooting played live on air.Continued coverage of the crime is available from WDBJ7’s livestream here.

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Update 9:26am CT, Aug. 26: Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe says the suspected shooter was a “disgruntled employee.”

https://twitter.com/MicahGrimes/status/636542904379555841

Update 9:34am CT, Aug. 26: The shooting’s third victim, Vicki Gardner, head of the local Chamber of Commerce. She was shot in the back and is currently undergoing surgery.

Update 9:52am CT, Aug. 26: There are conflicting reports of a police pursuit of the suspected shooter. We will update with the latest information when we have confirmation.

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Update 10:13am CT, Aug. 26: Name of a person of interest in the shooting added.

Correction: The name of the third victim is Vicki Gardner.

H/T Real Radio | Photo via Shawn Reynolds/Twitter | Remix by Jason Reed

 
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