Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Reporter Alison Parker and Photographer Adam Ward Killed in Moneta on Live Broadcast; UPDATE: The shooter is station's ex-employee




MONETA, Va. (Aug. 26, 2015) – A reporter and photographer from a TV news station in Roanoke, Va., were shot and killed during a live news interview on Wednesday morning.

The shooting occurred at Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, Virginia. WDBJ confirmed the deaths on Wednesday.

During a live interview at Bridgewater Plaza, approximately eight gunshots are heard as a reporter is seen interviewing someone on-screen. The camera then drops to the ground and the broadcast cuts back to the anchor desk.

The video captures an image of the what’s believed to be the suspected shooter before it cuts away. WDBJ tweeted out that they are trying to figure out what happened and that law enforcement is on scene.

Authorities from Bedford County, Franklin County and Virginia State Police have responded.

This situation is currently ongoing and we will post updates as soon as they become available.



UPDATE: Shooter is station's ex-employee.
(Reuters) Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said the suspected shooter of two television journalists on air Wednesday morning has been identified and appears to be a disgruntled former employee from the station, local media reported.

The suspect is being pursued, a CBS News affiliate in Richmond, Virginia, and Washington-based WTOP radio said. WTVR, the CBS station, said the suspect was in a vehicle being chased by police.


The suspect is Vester Lee Flanagan, a light-skinned black man who is 6-feet-3-inches tall and weighs about 250 pounds, according to the Augusta County Sheriff's Office.