Gunman 'shoots himself' after murdering journalists during live broadcast
A gunman who killed two journalists during a live TV broadcast is believed to have shot himself while being pursued by police – but is still alive.
Alison Parker, 24, a reporter, and photographer Adam Ward, 27, were broadcasting live at around 6.45am (11.45am Irish time) this morning from the Bridgewater Plaza in Virginia when they were fatally shot.
The suspect is 41-year-old Vester Lee Flanagan II, of Roanoke, who previously worked for the station, appearing on-air as Bryce Williams.
Shortly before 5pm Irish time, WDBJ-7 reported he shot himself during a pursuit on the I-66. Virginia State Police say that as they were pursuing the suspect this afternoon, he ran off the road and crashed and was found suffering from a gunshot wound.
A police spokeswoman said he is being treated for life-threatening injuries.
During the broadcast for WDBJ7, several loud bangs could be heard before the camera tumbled to the ground, apparently showing a person moving from behind the camera's initial view. The news station then cut back to a clearly-shocked newscaster in the studio.
This is the suspected shooter, Vester Flanigan, who is also known as Bryce Williams. He is a former WDBJ7 employee. pic.twitter.com/ngXrqHVLmw
— WDBJ7 (@WDBJ7) August 26, 2015
In the video, as the camera falls to the ground, it captures a fleeting image of a man in black trousers and a blue top who appears to be holding a handgun.
A third person was injured during the shooting. WDBJ-TV said on its website that Vicki Gardner of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce was hurt in the incident.
She was being interviewed by Ms Parker about tourism when the shooting took place.
Later in the afternoon, a video emerged on Twitter and Facebook showing the shooting from the gunman's point of view. Both social media sites immediately suspended the accounts and removed the video footage.
It showed a first-person view of the gunman approaching to the left of the camera, just out of view, drawing a gun and holding it aimed at Alison Parker. The gunman hesitates for several seconds, switching targets, before opening fire on Ms Parker.
Tweeting under the name Bryce Williams, he also made several allegations against the pair. Also, ABC News reported that someone using the name Bryce Williams faxed the organisation a lengthy 23-page document that it has turned over to authorities.
Jeffrey A Marks, general manager of WDBJ-TV, said: "It is my very, very sad duty to report that we have determined through the help of the police and our own employees that Alison and Adam died this morning shortly after 6.45 after the shots rang out."
“We do not know the motive, we do not know who the killer is.
“I just got off the phone with the state police they are working very diligently to track down both the motive and the person responsible for this crimes against two very fine journalists.”
Photog Adam @dowork88 playing with little Ralphie this morning at the Regional Center for Animal Care and Protection! pic.twitter.com/TcooX5ZKu6
— Alison Parker (@AParkerWDBJ7) May 22, 2014
He added: "I cannot tell you how much they were loved, Alison and Adam, by the WDBJ7 team.
“Our hearts are broken and our sympathy goes to our entire team but also their parents and families of Alison Parker and Adam Ward, who were just out doing their job today covering a story near Smith Mountain Lake.
“We have members of the team holding back tears frankly.”
We didn't share this publicly, but @AParkerWDBJ7 and I were very much in love. We just moved in together. I am numb. pic.twitter.com/tUrHVwAXcN
— Chris Hurst (@ChrisHurstVA) August 26, 2015
Fellow reporter at the station, Christ Hurst, wrote on Twitter that he had been dating his co-worker Alison for several months, and they had just moved in together.
"I am numb … we were together almost nine months. It was the best nine months of our lives. We wanted to get married. We just celebrated her 24th birthday," he wrote.
"She was the most radiant woman I ever met. And for some reason she loved me back."
WDBJ spokesman Mike Morgan said Mr Ward was engaged to a producer at the station, Melissa Ott.
He said: “Adam was our go-to guy. He pretty much was available to do anything that we asked. He did live shots during our morning show for several years.”
The station is based in Roanoke, Virginia, and serves the south-west and central part of the state. The shopping centre is just off Smith Mountain Lake.
Moneta is about 25 miles south-east of Roanoke.
