WDBJ reporter Allison Parker and photojournalist Adam Ward were broadcasting at Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, Va., when a gunman opened fire on them, according to WTVR. Parker was interviewing an unidentified woman, and police have confirmed that there were three victims, although no names have been released.
The gunman’s motive is not known and he remains at large — police are hoping to get a description out to the public shortly.
A still shot of the video briefly captured the killer’s image, as seen here:
The CBS affiliate posted this message about the news crew on Twitter several hours after the incident:
A disgruntled former employee of a Virginia TV station stalked and ambushed a news crew during a live interview Wednesday morning before opening fire, killing a reporter and photographer and wounding the woman being interviewed.
Vester Lee Flanagan, 41, who He went by the name Bryce Williams while working at the station, WDBJ, has been identified as the suspect. His name was initially reported as Lester Lee Flanagan.
Flanagan has shot himself after being confronted by police, WHSV reports.
The gunman opened fire during a live interview with a member of the local Chamber of Commerce. Cameraman Adam Ward, 27, and reporter Alison Parker, 23, of WDBJ 7 TV, were killed. The woman being interviewed, Vicki Gardner, was also shot and wounded, the Roanoke Times reports. She is in surgery after being shot in the back. Gardner is the executive director at the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce.
He posted video of the shooting on his Facebook page. The video shows him approaching the victims, and pointing a gun at them. He is behind them for several moments as Parker interviews Gardner. The camera then shakes and drops as he opens fire.
