US live TV shooting suspect dies in hospital

The suspect in the fatal shooting of two US journalists during a live TV report in Virginia has died in hospital.

US live TV shooting suspect dies in hospital

The suspect in the fatal shooting of two US journalists during a live TV report in Virginia has died in hospital.

Virginia State Police said they found Vester Lee Flanagan II after pursuing him on the highway in a lengthy car chase before he sped away and crashed. He was treated in hospital after being found with a gunshot wound.

Suspect Vester Lee Flanagan II , or Bryce Williams, as he was known in his broadcast work at the station.

Virginia’s governor Terry McAuliffe told radio station WTOP that the suspect was a disgruntled employee of US TV channel WDBJ-TV.

Earlier, reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward were killed on air as they worked on a live broadcast at a shopping centre in Moneta, central Virginia.

A third person, Vicki Gardner of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, who was being interviewed by Ms Parker, was injured in the shooting. She is being treated for her injuries.

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said that video recorded by the station’s camera shows the male suspect holding a weapon.

Video shows Ms Parker carrying out an interview about tourism on Bridgewater Plaza in Franklin County. She was smiling when at least eight shots were heard. The camera appeared to drop to the ground and the reporter can be heard screaming.

The station then switches back to a shot of a presenter back at the station, who has a shocked expression on her face.

In a tweet, the station said: “We love you, Alison and Adam.”

Shooting victims Alison Parker and Adam Ward.

The gunman later posted a video he filmed of the shootings.

The chilling footage shows a gun in his hand, pointing at Ms Parker and her attempting to flee when he opens fire.

The Twitter account used to post the video also included the comments “I filmed the shooting see Facebook”, “Adam went to (human resources) on me after working with me one time!!!” and “Alison made racist comments. EEOC report filed. They hired her after that???”

The account was later suspended but the video had already been copied and was viewable elsewhere online.

WDBJ-TV went live for its noon broadcast, giving details about the suspect.

It said Vester Lee Flanagan II appeared on air at the station as Bryce Williams.

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.

The station’s website says Mr Ward was 27 and a graduate of Virginia Tech, while Ms Parker had just turned 24 and attended James Madison University.

The station is based in Roanoke, Virginia, and serves the south-west and central part of the state.

One of the station’s presenters, Chris Hurst, said he was in love with Ms Parker and that they wanted to get married.

Mr Hurst said on Twitter that although the two did not share their relationship publicly, they were in love and had just moved in together.

According to the station’s website, Ms Parker was a morning reporter. She graduated from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and was news editor of its recognised newspaper, The Breeze. She had also been an intern at WDBJ-TV.

In the video of the incident, 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.

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.”

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital said on its Facebook page that Ms Gardner, a local economic development official who also was on the hospital’s board of directors, is recovering after surgery following the shooting.

The statement also said that hospital staff had got to know the two journalists killed through many live reports from its facilities. It says the two were more than just journalists – “they were good friends who will be missed”.

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