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More information has been released. You can find the most up-to-date information about this story here.
UPDATE (9:00 am): WDBJ7 has confirmed that Vester Flanagan, the suspected shooter, is a former employee of the television station. Early reports indicated that Flanagan had shot and killed himself but those reports are incorrect. WDBJ7 says that Flanagan did indeed shoot himself but he is not dead, rather, in critical condition.
UPDATE (8:30am): The suspect has been identified as Vester Flanagan, who goes by the on-air name Bryce Williams. Williams took to Twitter and posted disturbing video of the shooting from his perspective. He also had several posts saying that Parker made racist comments towards him, and Ward had complained about the former employee to human resources. Flanagan also posted the comments and video to Facebook but both accounts have since been suspended.
In the video, Flanagan can be seen approaching Parker with a gun in his hand, then backing away, before he opens fire on her. Two 25-second videos were uploaded online but were quickly taken down by moderators.
Police have yet to capture Flanagan as the search continues.
UPDATE (7:30am): Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe believes the suspected gunman is a disgruntled employee from the television station. Police are currently in pursuit of the suspect on I-64 and the governor believes he will be arrested shortly.
Parker’s boyfriend Chris Hurst, evening news anchor at the station, for the first time publicly stated that the couple had just moved in together after dating for nine months.
“She was the most radiant woman I ever met,” said Hurst. “This is unconscionable.”
The woman Parker was interviewing was also injured during the on-air shooting and is undergoing surgery at the local hospital.
Original Story:
Shocking news Wednesday morning as a journalist and cameraman are dead following a shooting during a live report in Virginia.
The tragedy has been confirmed by local television station WDBJ that their employees Alison Parker, aged 24, and Adam Ward, aged 27, were killed while interviewing a woman. The incident took place in Franklin County at around 6:45 a.m. during the live report. Local schools have been placed on lock down as a precautionary measure and police are searching for the suspect.
According to the station, law enforcement is on scene following the incident. The story is still unfolding and we will have updates as it continues to develop.
To watch the station's live report click here.
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