Video: Reporter, Cameraman Killed During Live Virginia News Broadcast, Suspect Shot Himself
A gunman killed a reporter and cameraman while they were doing a live news report in Franklin County, Va., Wednesday morning.
UPDATE: The man suspected of shooting and killing two WDBJ news station employees on live television has now died of his self-incflicted gunshot wounds, reports CNN.
UPDATE:
A suspect in the deadly shooting of a television reporter and cameraman during a live report Wednesday morning shot himself, CBS Roanoke affiliate WDBJ-TV reports, citing the Virginia State Police.
The station previously reported, citing the state police, that the suspect died of his wounds. The suspect's condition is critical, reports CBS and the Associated Press.
Authorities described the gunman as a disgruntled station employee. A second video of the shooting, apparently recorded by the killer, was posted on social media even as police tried to locate the suspect.
The suspect is Vester Lee Flanagan II, 41, of Roanoke, said Becky Coyner with dispatch and records at the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. The station said Flanagan appeared on air as Bryce Williams.
EARLIER REPORT:
A gunman killed a reporter and cameraman while they were doing a live news report in Franklin County, Va., Wednesday morning.
CBS News confirms that WDBJ-TV reporter Alison Parker, 24, and videographer Adam Ward, 27, were killed. The incident took place at Bridgewater Plaza in Franklin County. Parker was interviewing Vicki Gardner, head of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, when gunshots begin to ring out.
Parker and Gardner are seen running away while the camera appears to be dropped.
Reporter Alison Parker and videographer Adam Ward (Photo: WDBJ7)
Governor Terry McAuliffe told WTOP on the monthly “Ask the Governor” segment Wednesday that the shooter may have been a disgruntled employee. Law enforcement has identified the suspect and are in pursuit, McAuliffe says.
The Roanoke Times reports that Gardner was shot in the back and is in surgery.
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