Post by Admin on Aug 26, 2015 16:27:03 GMT
Report: Suspect in murder of journalists on live TV kills himself
John Bacon, USA TODAY 12:01 p.m. EDT August 26, 2015
www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/26/reports-two-dead-virginia-shooting-live-tv/32391633/
Two members of a local TV station's news team were fatally shot Wednesday during a live TV broadcast near Roanoke, Va., setting off a manhunt that apparently has ended in the suspect's death, WDBJ7-TV said.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe told WTOP radio the suspect was a "disgruntled" WDBJ employee and that authorities expect to have him in custody soon. WDBJ later reported that the suspect killed himself.
Becky Coyner, with the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, said authorities were looking for Vester Flanagan, 41, whose used the name Bryce Williams while working for WDBJ. Video has been posted on what appears to be Williams' Facebook page showing the shooting from the perspective of the shooter. The gun is visible and a victim, Alison Parker, is seen being shot.
The station said the shooting took place at about 6:45 a.m., at Smith Mountain Lake, a resort about 35 miles from Roanoke. Killed were WDBJ7 cameraman Adam Ward, 27, and reporter Parker, 24. A woman being interviewed on live TV was wounded.
The live broadcast at the time of the shooting showed Parker interviewing someone at a resort when, just off camera, shots rang out and Parker was heard screaming. The recording appears to include a glimpse of the gunman dressed in black.
"This kind of loss will resonate in these halls for a long, long time as we remember in their short lives what dedicated journalism they produced and what outstanding journalists they were," WDBJ7 general manager Jeffrey Marks said.
Authorities were "working very diligently to track down the motive and the person responsible for this terrible crime against two fine journalists," Marks said. "They were just out doing their job today."
Marks said it appeared that Ward was shot first, and that Parker was shot trying to flee. Marks said authorities told him they were pursuing a possible suspect. He said Ward was engaged to producer Melissa Ott, who was working at the station at the time of the shooting and saw the tragedy unfold.
From USA TODAY:
Va. journalist shooting suspect posts details on Twitter, Facebook
The victims were from the Roanoke area, the station said. Adam graduated from Salem High School and Virginia Tech. Parker grew up in Martinsville and attended Patrick Henry Community College and James Madison University.
McAuliffe tweeted that he was "heartbroken over senseless murders today in Smith Mountain Lake." He said State Police were aiding local authorities in the effort to capture the gunman.
Chris Hurst, an anchor for the station, said he was Parker's boyfriend.
"She was the most radiant woman I ever met. And for some reason she loved me back. She loved her family, her parents and her brother," Hurst tweeted. And later: "I am comforted by everyone at @wdbj7. We are a family. She worked with Adam every day. They were a team. I am heartbroken for his fiancee."
John Bacon, USA TODAY 12:01 p.m. EDT August 26, 2015
www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/26/reports-two-dead-virginia-shooting-live-tv/32391633/
Two members of a local TV station's news team were fatally shot Wednesday during a live TV broadcast near Roanoke, Va., setting off a manhunt that apparently has ended in the suspect's death, WDBJ7-TV said.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe told WTOP radio the suspect was a "disgruntled" WDBJ employee and that authorities expect to have him in custody soon. WDBJ later reported that the suspect killed himself.
Becky Coyner, with the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, said authorities were looking for Vester Flanagan, 41, whose used the name Bryce Williams while working for WDBJ. Video has been posted on what appears to be Williams' Facebook page showing the shooting from the perspective of the shooter. The gun is visible and a victim, Alison Parker, is seen being shot.
The station said the shooting took place at about 6:45 a.m., at Smith Mountain Lake, a resort about 35 miles from Roanoke. Killed were WDBJ7 cameraman Adam Ward, 27, and reporter Parker, 24. A woman being interviewed on live TV was wounded.
The live broadcast at the time of the shooting showed Parker interviewing someone at a resort when, just off camera, shots rang out and Parker was heard screaming. The recording appears to include a glimpse of the gunman dressed in black.
"This kind of loss will resonate in these halls for a long, long time as we remember in their short lives what dedicated journalism they produced and what outstanding journalists they were," WDBJ7 general manager Jeffrey Marks said.
Authorities were "working very diligently to track down the motive and the person responsible for this terrible crime against two fine journalists," Marks said. "They were just out doing their job today."
Marks said it appeared that Ward was shot first, and that Parker was shot trying to flee. Marks said authorities told him they were pursuing a possible suspect. He said Ward was engaged to producer Melissa Ott, who was working at the station at the time of the shooting and saw the tragedy unfold.
From USA TODAY:
Va. journalist shooting suspect posts details on Twitter, Facebook
The victims were from the Roanoke area, the station said. Adam graduated from Salem High School and Virginia Tech. Parker grew up in Martinsville and attended Patrick Henry Community College and James Madison University.
McAuliffe tweeted that he was "heartbroken over senseless murders today in Smith Mountain Lake." He said State Police were aiding local authorities in the effort to capture the gunman.
Chris Hurst, an anchor for the station, said he was Parker's boyfriend.
"She was the most radiant woman I ever met. And for some reason she loved me back. She loved her family, her parents and her brother," Hurst tweeted. And later: "I am comforted by everyone at @wdbj7. We are a family. She worked with Adam every day. They were a team. I am heartbroken for his fiancee."