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.
More Patrol

The Threat That Fits Under Your Fingernail
What cops need to know about alpha-gal, the tick-borne allergy that can turn an ordinary exposure into a problem weeks or months later.
Read More →
NLEOMF Honors September 2026 Officers of the Month
Four Bradenton Police Department officers were selected as the NLEOMF Officers of the Month for September 2026 for a nighttime water rescue.
Read More →
Blackhawk Debuts Mini EDC Pocket Multi-Tool
The Blackhawk Mini EDC Pocket Multi-Tool stows easily in pants pockets thanks to a sturdy stainless steel pocket clip and incorporates several essential/emergency tools into a single, high-mobility unit.
Read More →
Team Wendy Introduces the EXFIL Endurance Ballistic Helmet, Engineered to Reduce the Burden of Extended Wear
Team Wendy has launched its EXFIL Endurance, a new lightweight ballistic helmet engineered to deliver protection, comfort, and fit during demanding, extended operations.
Read More →
The First Responders Children’s Foundation National First Responders Day Roll Call of Heroes Ceremony Returns to Times Square, NYC
First Responders Children’s Foundation (FRCF), in collaboration with T-Mobile, will host the Roll Call of Heroes ceremony in Times Square to commemorate National First Responders Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28. During the event, FRCF will present 18 Hero Awards.
Read More →
Streamlight to Showcase Newest Lighting Products for Law Enforcement Professionals at IACP 2026
Streamlight will showcase its newest lights for law enforcement at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference & Expo. Featured lights will include the TLR-3 X, the PolyTac 1X, and more.
Read More →
Streamlight Portable Scene Light III Wins 2026 OH&S New Product of the Year Award
Streamlight’s Portable Scene Light III has won the 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award in the Lighting category.
Read More →
Adept Armor Introduces Two New Rifle Plates
Adept Armor has launched two new Level IV ballistic plates, the Emperor and the Archon Mark 2, which brings Adept Armor’s new Quatroid ceramic to the high-threat, performance-value center of the range at 5.2 pounds.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Benchmade Bailout
The Benchmade Bailout is a slim, lightweight carry knife with a deep-ride pocket clip and comes in a variety of blade steels and scales. Here is a detailed review of the Taiga Green Bailout, released earlier this year.
Read More →
NLEOMF Announces July 2026 Officer of the Month
NLEOMF honored a Michigan deputy sheriff as the July 2026 Officer of the Month for rescuing a trapped driver from a burning vehicle following a Fourth of July crash.
Read More →